The Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund, 2005.120.0 Photograph by David Stansbury © 2013 The Con ...

Seascape with Wrecked Vessel

PainterPainted by John Wells Stancliff (American, 1813 - 1891)

DateProbably 1870s or 1880s

MediumPainting: Oil on wood panel. Frame: Modern wood frame with gold liner and light blue highlights.

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of panel): 10 3/4 x 15in. (27.3 x 38.1cm) Frame (height x width): 13 7/8 x 18in. (35.2 x 45.7cm)

ClassificationsPainting

Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund

Object number2005.120.0

DescriptionPort quarter view of an unidentified dismasted three-masted square-rigged vessel aground off a storm-swept beach. Headland is visible on the horizon at left; a steamer and several coasting vessels are in the left distance; and a full-rigged ship is at the right. The wrecked vessel's crew is being rescued via breeches buoy apparatus from the beach. A crewman is visible suspended in a buoy between the vessel and the beach. Flotsam, or debris from the wrecked vessel, is visible in the surf.

NotesHistorical Note: Rescues of shipwrecked crews were undertaken by the United States Lifesaving Service (later merged with the United States Coast Guard) from a network of coastal stations. Such scenes as this one became popular among marine artists such as Winslow Homer, who captured such a scene in his work, "The Lifeline". Man versus nature was a most popular theme and was typified by these works. Stancliff was likely influenced by such scenes. (Malley 8/18/2005)

Status

Not on view