Lot 58: Samuel Scott , London circa 1702-1772 Bath Vessels Becalmed Off the Coast oil on canvas

signed and dated lower left: S.Scott 1731 oil on canvas

measurements note 29 1/2 by 50 3/4 in.; 74.9 by 129 cm.

Guidhall, London, Samuel Scott Bi-Centenary. Paintings, Drawings and Engravings, 1972, no.3.

R. Kingsett, "A Catalogue of the Works of Samuel Scott", in Walpole Society, 1982, Vol. XLVIII, p. 18, no. F.

Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, November 20, 1985, lot 16;
There purchased by the present family.

PROPERTY FROM A SOUTH AMERICAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Scott's early marine pictures, of which is this a highly representative example, demonstrates the influence and direct knowledge of Willem van de Velde II (1633-1707). Rather than taking his compositions directly from observation, Scott often intertwined individual elements from various Dutch pictures. Yet, in spite of his connection to the Dutch tradition, he developed his own style and was an important forerunner of the 18th century English marine painting school.

This wonderful image displays Scott's ability to capture the effects of light on the water, as well as his ability to successfully render the colossal sailing vessels of the 18th century, so vital to the maritime dominance of the British Fleet. Here, Scott offers a variant on another of his works with the same title, dated 1729;υ however, he has added the ships and barge and replaced the fisherman on the shore in the right foreground with two others trailing a net from a row boat.υ1 1. R. Kingsett, "A Catalogue of the Works of Samuel Scott", in Walpole Society, 1982, Vol. XLVIII, p. 18, no. E