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H.M: Ship Albion in dock at Constantinople after the Bombardment at Sevastopol. October 1854

Em. Caruana

1854

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Early 19th Century Marine

Dominant colour

H.M: Ship Albion in dock at Constantinople after the Bombardment at Sevastopol. October 1854 is a 1854 watercolor by Em. Caruana, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Em. Caruana
When & what style?: 1854 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a busy shipyard where a large wooden warship sits on dry land. Workers in colorful clothes—red hats, blue jackets, and striped pants—stand around, some pointing or carrying tools. In the background, another ship floats in the water, and a building with a tall spire and trees nearby frames the scene. The ship has a British flag flying, and the ground is scattered with wood and ropes. The sky is pale, and the whole scene looks like a moment frozen in time during repairs or construction. If you like this kind of detailed watercolor, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The story of this work

Overview

HMS Albion, a 90-gun second-rate ship of the line, is depicted in a watercolour by E. Caruana from October 1854, showing the vessel docked in Constantinople following the Bombardment at Sevastopol. The ship, designed by Sir William Symonds and launched in 1842, participated in the Crimean War under Commander Henry Rogers during the siege of Sevastopol on 17 October 1854, sustaining damage from Russian batteries. After the engagement, Albion was towed to safety by tugs to prevent grounding. The watercolour is signed and inscribed "Constantinople" in the lower right.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Em. Caruana

Em. Caruana was the shipspotter you’d meet at a seaside pub after too many pints, sketchbook in hand, arguing with the bartender about rigging and tides. This watercolor isn’t just a battle scene—it’s a diary entry with…

See the richer artist page