Artwork
Man-o'-war
Man-o'-war is a watercolor work on paper by the Rococo painting artist Dominic Serres. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Created in 1780 by the artist Serres, this work combines watercolour and pen to present a side view of a man‑o‑war.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1780 by the artist Serres, this work combines watercolour and pen to present a side view of a man‑o‑war. The composition captures the vessel’s imposing size, with towering masts and an intricate network of rigging. The sketch emphasizes the ship’s silhouette against a minimally rendered sea, offering a concise visual record of an 18th‑century warship.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a large sailing warship, its sails billowing loosely as if recently caught by a gust. Two flags crown the mastheads, a striped standard and another bearing a red cross, signifying national or naval identification. The emphasis on the hull’s weight and the sparse water suggests a focus on the ship’s structural presence rather than narrative detail.
Technique & Style
Executed with watercolour washes and pen lines, the piece exhibits rapid, gestural strokes and occasional smudges, indicating a study rather than a polished final piece. The loose handling of the sails and the quick, suggestive water lines convey movement, while the darker, more defined hull demonstrates a deliberate contrast between fleeting atmosphere and solid form.
History & Provenance
The work dates to the late eighteenth century, a period when naval illustration served both documentary and instructional purposes. Attributed to Serres, the sketch has been retained within museum collections that specialize in historic maritime art, providing insight into contemporary methods of recording naval architecture.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Dominic Serres (born Dominique Serres; c. 1722 – 4 November 1793) was a French-born British painter who specialised in marine art. He co-founded the Royal Academy (RA) in 1768, and served as the RA's librarian from 1792 until his death.
Replenishing the Ship's Larder with Codfish off the Newfoundland Coast
Sailing Vessels: Armed Four-Master Putting Out to Sea
A Dutch Hulk and a Boeier
Seapiece with Shipping
Armed Four-Master Sailing towards a Port
Naval Engagement
Three-Masted Sailing Boat on Gently Moving Water
Armed Three-Master on the Open Sea, Accompanied by a Galley
Seascape with a Frigate
Cutting In
Armed Three-Master Anchored near a City- A man-of-war