A friend showed me this picture of an artwork, being curious to know some thing about (a) the ship and (b) the artist. A google hunt revealed that the ship is the Aristides, and that the artist was Arthur Chidley. And, that another copy, apparently black and white, is held in a museum in Newcastle, New South Wales.
The tiny silhouette on the horizon balances the weight of the subject, making it a satisfying study. Very nice indeed.
But who was the artist? He seems to belong to the first couple of decades of the twentieth century. Quite a large number of his works have been up for sale in a number of galleries, and can be printed off on demand. Chidley illustrated a couple of books, and contributed to a set of military cards that were produced soon after the First World War. It seems that he illustrated calendars, too. But there the information stops.
The ship itself is much easier. Lars Bruzelius, on his invaluable site, provides the bones of her history.
- 1876 March
- Launched at the shipyard of Walter Hood & Co., Aberdeen, for Aberdeen White Star Line (G. Thompson & Co.), Aberdeen. Assigned the official British Reg. No. 70454 and signal PVQC. Captain R. Kemball late of the Thermopylae (1868) was given command of the new ship.
- 1876 July 6 - September 18
- Sailed from London to Port Phillip in 74 days,
- 1876 November 28 - February 17
- Sailed from Melbourne to London in 81 days.
- 1889
- Sailed from London to Sydney in 85 days.
- 1887
- Captain Spalding replaced Capt. Kemball.
- 1903 May 28
- Sailed from Caleta Buena with a cargo of nitrate for San Francisco and disappeared on route.
So she was fast, and she was comfortable. And she carried hundreds of passengers to a new life in the "lucky country."
5 comments:
Draper.j.younce@gmail.com
Please email me. I believe I have an original of this painting.
I have an oil canvas painting of this what might it value
Thank you for your comments, which have only just reached me. It seems that he painted it at least twice -- but that is common enough. Painters often had several goes at a particular subject. As for the value, it depends on the market and the auctioneer. Looking up recent catalogues could help. In that era, however, ship paintings were very popular, and so there are a lot of them around.
Hi..
I have a signed painting of the SOBRAON by A chidley how can I find out more information on this piece please.
All I can suggest is that you take it to a reputable art auctioneer and get an opinion. But, meantime, enjoy your painting.
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