Jeson Clarke

Famous Paintings of Ships

The unforgiving nature of the open seas has inspired artists for centuries. The same goes for the human-made vessels we use to conquer the oceans! There's no shortage of nautically themed paintings out there. Whether you're looking for a simple boat oil painting or a pastel masterpiece depicting what the rough seas can do to an unprepared vessel, we have you covered.

Here are some of the most famous ship paintings to grace the art world.

A First-Rate Man-of-War Driven Onto a Reef of Rocks, Floundering in a Gale

This painting's name is certainly a mouthful, but the work by George Philip Reinagle is nothing short of captivating. It depicts an early 19th-century ship in the clutches of a massive storm. The art is a grim reminder that the ocean waits for no one.

Becalmed off Halfway Rock

We go from the destructive potential of the ocean to its calming beauty. This painting by Fitz Hugh Lane is about the serenity of the sea. It shows several ships anchored next to a market as the rising sun glistens behind their sails.

Battle of Trafalgar 1805

Louis Phillipe Crepin shows one of the other uses of ships outside of travel: War. The painting captures a deadly sea battle between the British Royal Navy and the Spanish and French Naval forces. It's a violent display that perfectly shows the close-quarters nature of naval battles.

Argenteuil (Red Boats)

Monet is one of the most celebrated impressionist painters ever to live. While he has a vast collection of work, they almost always feature pastoral beauty and calm. This boat oil painting is no different. It shows several sailboats sitting in calm and reflective waters.

Breezing Up (A Fair Wind)

Here's some art that has human subjects. Painted by Winslow Homer, this piece shows a typical scene of the late 19th century. Sea travel was very common at the time, and this scenario of a small sailboat cruising among the waves was an everyday part of life. While standard back then, it's an excellent glimpse into an old pastime people rarely experience today.

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Jeson Clarke writes about art, painting and culture. You can find his thoughts at portrait painting blog.