English Ships of War, one firing a salute
1770
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1770
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
English Ships of War, one firing a salute is a 1770 watercolor by Robert Cleveley, a Rococo painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows three big sailing ships on a cloudy sea. The ship on the right has sails half-raised and is firing a puff of smoke from its guns. In the foreground, a small rowboat with oarsmen drifts toward the ships. The sky is dramatic, with dark clouds and bright patches of light breaking through. The rowboat’s passengers seem calm, even as the warships loom nearby. This was likely meant to show the power of naval forces in the late 1700s. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.
