{"product_id":"bernard-benedict-hemy-marine-painting-st-marys-island","title":"Bernard Benedict Hemy Signed Marine Oil Painting of St Mary’s Island, 19th Century","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA substantial signed marine oil painting by Bernard Benedict Hemy (British, 1845–1913), depicting a dramatic coastal scene off St Mary’s Island on the Northumberland coast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEntitled \u003cem\u003eFoundering off St Mary’s Island\u003c\/em\u003e, and alternatively recorded as \u003cem\u003eThe Shipwreck\u003c\/em\u003e, the composition captures the danger, movement and uncertainty of Victorian maritime life. A steam-assisted sailing vessel makes its way through turbulent water, while figures in the foreground work to haul a small boat across the rocky shoreline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eOriginal 19th-century marine oil painting\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eBy Bernard Benedict Hemy\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSigned “B. B. Hemy” to the lower right\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDepicts St Mary’s Island, Northumberland\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAlso recorded under the title \u003cem\u003eThe Shipwreck\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eOil on canvas\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLarge horizontal composition\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eVictorian maritime and coastal subject\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTopographical and historical interest\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePresented in a substantial gilt composition frame\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Composition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe painting presents an expansive coastal panorama beneath a broad, atmospheric sky. To the left, a steam-assisted sailing vessel moves through rough seas, while the island settlement occupies the middle distance beyond breaking waves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the foreground, figures gather around a wooden boat on the exposed shoreline, their actions lending scale, movement and human drama to the scene. The rocky beach, foaming water and turbulent cloud formations are rendered with expressive brushwork and areas of textured impasto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSt Mary’s Island is shown before the construction of its well-known lighthouse in 1897, providing the work with additional historical and topographical interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Artist\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBernard Benedict Hemy was associated with Newcastle, Cullercoats and the maritime communities of North East England. His work is particularly admired for its atmospheric skies, active seas and sympathetic portrayal of coastal and working maritime life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis large-format example displays many of the qualities associated with Hemy’s marine painting, including the carefully observed coastline, animated water, detailed shipping and strong narrative content.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDecorative Appeal\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePresented within a substantial gilt composition frame in the Victorian taste, the painting has commanding decorative presence. Its generous scale and coastal subject would make it particularly effective within a drawing room, library, study, hallway or country house interior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSigned marine paintings by established regional artists remain sought after by collectors, particularly where the composition relates to a recognisable British coastal landmark.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hawkins Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64128168984953,"sku":null,"price":600.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/6633\/8937\/files\/DSCF7304.jpg?v=1785511141","url":"https:\/\/hawkinsantiques.com\/products\/bernard-benedict-hemy-marine-painting-st-marys-island","provider":"Hawkins Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}