An Indiaman and a Royal Yacht in a Storm off a Rocky Coast with a Castle

An interpretation of a storm scene depicting a ship of the Honourable East India Company and a gaff-rigged royal yacht. They are being tossed in a stormy sea, under a lowering sky to the left. The Indiaman is depicted pitched at an angle, stern visible and slightly to starboard, with its sails lowered and rocks close by on the left. Land and a fortification is visible in the distance to the left, possibly one of the Channel Islands, Monamy's family home. The darkness of the sea in the foreground is relieved by the patch of light in the centre of the painting highlighting the royal yacht, seen in starboard-broadside view. With an ornately carved stern, it flies the common tricolour pennant from the mast. Figures depicted on deck attend to the sails, demonstrating the method of heaving-to in a storm in smack-rigged yachts.

Monamy, a self-taught artist, was influenced by van de Velde the Younger, and may have worked in his studio. The painting is signed 'P. Monamy'.

Object Details

ID: BHC1012
Collection: Fine art
Type: Painting
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Monamy, Peter
Date made: early 18th century
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Caird Fund.
Measurements: Painting: 850 x 1050mm; Frame: 953 mm x 1156 mm x 78 mm; Overall weight: 17 kg;