Lot 574: William Kimmins McMinn (1820-1898)

The three-masted barque Orkney Lass in two positions off the waterfront at Liverpool oil on canvas 233/4 x 37 in. (60.8 x 94 cm.) NOTES On the left of the picture the barque is shown changing tack with her foresails backed. Viewed on the right after tacking, she is now heading towards Princes Dock, visible on the left of the painting. Orkney Lass, 326 tons, was built in 1848 (the approximate date of the picture) and purchased by the Harrison Line in 1854, soon after its formation in 1853. All the traditional Liverpool landmarks are visible, from the dome of St. Paul's on the left, to the Customs House on the right. The church of St. Nicholas shown just in front of the mainmast (in the nearer view of the barque) is painted in a style peculiar to the artist. Just to its left is an interesting portrayal of the Liverpool terminus of the Holyhead to Liverpool semaphore, at this stage mounted on the roof of a warehouse. Born at Workington, Cumbria, McMinn moved to Liverpool in about 1841, his main employment being that of draughtsman, although he also described himself as an artist. Christies's are grateful to Sam Davidson for the notes accompanying this lot.