JOHN MURDAY
British, 19th century

"The Sailing Brig Ariel Passing Ramsgate"

22 1/8" H x 1 1/2" D x 29" W (framed)
18 3/4" H x 25 3/4" W (canvas)

Oil on canvas
Signed "J. Murday" (faintly) lower right

A good mid-nineteenth century British marine painting depicting the sailing vessel Ariel underway in coastal waters accompanied by several smaller vessels. The principal ship flies the British Red Ensign with a red pennant bearing the vessel's name at the foremast. 

Provenance:

• Paul Mason Gallery, London, 1981
• Private Collection
• Bourgeault-Horan Antiquarians, New Hampshire, 2010
• Private Collection, Catawba Island, Lake Erie, Ohio

Condition: Relined and presenting beautifully, with light, unobtrusive craquelure throughout and traces of surface grime and discoloration within the varnish. Ultraviolet examination reveals scattered retouching in the water, more concentrated in the lower right quadrant, and localized inpainting to the junction of two sails on the principal vessel. Additional scattered retouching is present in the sky, including older restorations to the left that fluoresce pale pink under ultraviolet light, with further isolated touchups to the right. Overall very good presentation. Ready to hang.

ref. 608LJH12P