Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd

Description

Britannia of Åland Under Full Sail — Captain August Ekblom
After Andreas G. Lind, London 1869 | B. Hartvik, Mariehamn 1979
Subject & Medium
A substantial maritime oil painting depicting the three-masted barque Britannia of Åland under full sail, clearly inscribed with both the vessel’s name and Captain August Ekblom. Painted in 1979 by B. Hartvik in Mariehamn, the composition follows an original 1869 ship portrait by the noted Scandinavian marine artist Andreas Gundersen Lind. The work belongs to the Northern European tradition of documentary ship portraiture, where accuracy and technical clarity were essential.
Composition & Technique
The vessel is presented in strict side profile, allowing a full and precise rendering of hull, rigging, and sail plan. Shown on a starboard tack and moving left to right, the composition conveys forward motion and controlled passage. The rigging is carefully articulated, with well-defined masts and spars, and subtle tonal variation across the sails suggesting wind pressure. The sea and sky are handled with restraint, ensuring the ship remains the primary focus.
Historical Context
The original composition was painted in London in 1869, during the height of the sailing era when the port was a major centre of global trade. Scandinavian vessels, particularly from Åland, were heavily involved in Baltic–British trade routes, transporting timber and grain. This painting represents a real working vessel within that commercial network rather than a purely decorative subject.
The Vessel
The Britannia is shown as a three-masted barque, a widely used and efficient merchant rig of the mid-19th century. The sail plan includes square sails on the fore and main masts, a fore-and-aft mizzen with spanker, along with jibs and staysails. The ship sails under the Russian merchant ensign, reflecting Finland’s status within the Russian Empire at the time. Additional details include a masthead pennant bearing the name “BRITANNIA” and signal flags indicating active communication, reinforcing the painting’s accuracy.
Sea & Background
The sea is depicted with controlled movement, showing rolling swells rather than heavy seas, suggesting steady progress. The palette consists of deep blue-green tones with lighter highlights. A distant coastline appears to the left, possibly referencing British waters, while a secondary vessel in the distance adds depth and context.
Artists
After Andreas Gundersen Lind (1815–1885), a Scandinavian marine painter and former sailor active in London, known for painting ships from life. The present work by B. Hartvik (1979) reflects a continuation of this tradition through later studio interpretation.
Signature
Signed and inscribed lower left: “After And. Lind’s gouache painted in London 1869. Mariehamn 1979 B. Hartvik.”
Ship inscription: “BRITANNIA FRÅN ÅLAND CAPT. AUG. EKBLOM”
Frame
Presented in its original gilt moulded frame dating from the 1970s, appropriate to the period and in keeping with the traditional maritime subject.

Provenance
Recorded art market sale, 27 February 2013
Skånes Auktionsverk, Landskrona, Sweden, 18 December 2018
Private collection
Bushwood Antiques
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