Robert W. Salmon Art for Sale and Sold Prices

Naval painter, b. 1775 - d. 1845

(b Whitehaven, Cumberland, England, 1775; d Boston, MA, 1845) British Painter. Robert Salmon was a very successful marine painter and is considered by many to be the father of American Luminism. He began his career in England. Salmon worked in the ports of Liverpool and in Greenock, Scotland. Then in 1828 he immigrated to Boston. Salmon quickly established an impressive client list of statesmen, merchants, businessmen, bankers and yachtsmen. He set up his studio on the waterfront and worked on commission painting boats for their wealthy owners. He also turned out small “cabinet pieces” which he then sold at public auction. Salmon’s distinctive style drew from the works of Dutch marine painters and he was renowned for his ability to capture every detail of a particular vessel.