Art Gallery of Old Ship Portraits and Marine Paintings
 



Purvis Painting

Thomas G. Purvis (British, 1861-1933) - Ship Portrait of the German four-masted Bark *Wandsbek* in the Atlantic Sea ca. 1900 - the Windjammer is shown under reduced sails on the high Sea - signed lower left "T.G. Purvis, London" and inscribed in the center water section "Wandsbek" - Oil on canvas 40 by 60 cm (15 3/4 by 23 5/8 inch), with the frame 50 x 70 cm (19 3/4 by 27 1/2 inch) - period bird`s eye maple frame - good condition, usual age crackle, one repair at back, not relined - Private Collection New Jersey, USA

Note: A typical work by the artist with convincing dark-light contrasts and a liveful atmosphere. The *Wandsbek* (built 1892 in Liverpool) was one the fascinating Windjammers around the turn of the Century and in service for Philadelphia, Southern America, India and the South Sea. For more information about the vessel see the illustration page. Photo Copyright is with the FineArtEmporium.

History of the vessel: The *Wandsbek* was built in 1892 in Greenock (Scotland) for G.T. Soley + Co. in Liverpool and its first name was *Ancyra*. For Soley it sailed mainly to India and the commanders were J. Ellis, J.N. Frost, Robinson and J.B. Stuart. In 1900 the Windjammer was sold to Knoehr + Burchard in Hamburg and the Bark was named *Wandsbek*. Under the command of J.B. Tadsen, H. Koenke, and W. Burmeister the *Wandsbek* sailed to Philadelphia, Hiogo, Santa Rosalia, Pisagua, Portland and Mejillones. At the outbreak of WWI in 1914 the vessel was interned at Santa Rosalia and was later sold to new owners in San Fransciso, California. The Bark was finally destroyed by a storm in 1931. The dimensions of the vessel were 279 x 42 x 24 feet.
Portrait of the German four-masted Bark *Wandsbek* ca. 1900 by T.G. Purvis - Go back to the page for Purvis or to the Gallery

Presented by the FineArtEmporium in Hamburg.



More images of the picture, here is a details view of the center of the painting:

and an enlarged view of the bow, the signature and the period maple frame:


And finally a photo of the back: