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Description: | Signed: yes Description: The painting depicts a tempest and shipwreck, just off the French coast. On the right we can see a rocky promontory, behind which is the tantalizing sight of safe harbour, so narrowly missed; there is a classical arcade and a long harbour wall, over which can be seen the masts of ships safely berthed. On the end of the harbour wall is a light house. The harbour is crowded with small figures, watching the wreck. The wreck itself takes place on a rocky reef to the left of the painting. The ship has heeled right over, and is in the last agonies of destruction. On the reef are groups of men, some hauling on lines to rescue the survivors, some assisting the casualties. In the centre, in a violent swell, can be seen figures swimming in the sea, and a longboat full of rescued sailors struggling towards the shore. There is a dramatic bolt of lightning across the centre of the picture, and just below it is the tiny, vulnerable, figure of a further ship, beating its way to harbour, and safety. | Subjects: | marine | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Artist: Vernet, Claude-Joseph (French painter and draftsman, 1714-1789) Æ | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=8675... | Go to resource |
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