Lot 40: John Russell Chancellor (British, 1925-1984)

The eyes of the Fleet - a frigate with a man aloft scanning the horizon for enemy sail signed 'John Chancellor' (lower left) 65.4 x 91.4cm. (25 3/4 x 36in.)

John Chancellor was born to English parents in the Lisbon area of Portugal in 1925. At seventeen he joined the Merchant Navy and was twice torpedoed. After the war he worked for a tug and barge firm and skippered a number of coastal craft. In 1970 he started painting and in 1972 decided to give up the sea to become a professional artist. He specialised in scenes of historic sail, well- researched and in a very finished style. In 1973 his first one-man show of oils sold out in thirty minutes and his next in 1976 also sold out. His exhibition of watercolours in 1981 sold out in ten minutes. He lived in Brixham, South Devon and his book 'The Maritime Paintings of John Chancellor' was published posthumously in July 1984.

Due to his very short painting career, it is believed his output totalled fewer than 70 oil paintings and such is the popularity of his work that only a handful of works have ever gone through the London auction rooms.

Literature:
E.H.H. Archibald, The Dictionary of Sea Painters, Antique Collectors' Club, Woodbridge, 2000, page 137 and plates 805 and 806.