Description:

Attributed to Charles Brooking (British, 1723-1759)
A Flagship wearing a flag of the Vice Admiral of the Red, before the wind
Oil on canvas, 70cm x 125cm

* This painting was originally one of a pair, owned by the financier Harold Fortington, who leased the island of Jethou between 1934 and 1949, taking over the lease from the author Sir Compton MacKenzie. It is believed that some of the contents were acquired with the property. The house on Jethou was commandeered by the German occupying forces during the Second World War and used as an officer's club, until fuel shortages made this impractical, at which time some of the contents were moved to Guernsey. The pair to this picture, subject unknown, is believed to have been seized by the German occupiers during this period. After liberation, some of these contents were moved back to the island by the Fortington's daughter, the late Mrs Nadia Moulton-Barrett.

Born in Deptford in 1723, Brooking remains one of the finest marine painters of the eighteenth century. He is thought to have been largely self taught, and was the son of a Charles Brooking who was a painter and decorator at Greenwich Hospital between 1729 and 1736. Brooking's style was strongly influenced by Dutch marine painting of the seventeenth century, in particular the Van de Veldes and de Vlieger. Brooking did not achieve significant financial success until the final decade of his life. By this stage he had developed a mature style, and in 1754 he acquired Taylor White as his patron, Treasurer of the Foundling Hospital, who commissioned him to paint his largest canvas 'Flagship before the wind under easy sail'.

This subject derives from that celebrated masterpiece, which remains in the hospital collection in a frame designed by William Hogarth. The commission and execution of the enormous canvas, which was, incredibly, painted in just 18 days, earned Brooking the governorship of the Hospital.

Although the subject was never engraved, other copies do exist and are detailed in David Joel's monograph of Charles Brooking and the 18th Century British Marine Painters (Woodbridge, 2000). However, no other recorded version is as large as this example, with some as small as 24 x 37cm.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

** Martel Maides Auctions do not offer a postal service for any lots.***

All lots, with the exception of furniture and large items, will be shipped to Mail Boxes Etc in Portsmouth, UK at a minimum charge of £10 per lot, dependant on lot size and number of lots purchased. Arrangements for onward delivery or collection from Mail Boxes Etc are the responsibility of the buyer and will incur additional delivery charges.

Purchasers of large items and furniture are required to make their own arrangements for shipping, but contact details for Guernsey based removal companies can be provided upon request. For any further information on shipping please call 01481 722700.

(c) Exportation and CITES

Although there are no major restrictions concerning the exportation of any works of art or antiquities being offered in this Guernsey auction, buyers are obviously responsible for the proper importation of their purchases into their country of destination. Your attention is directed to the CITES regulations in your country and no items subject to CITES can leave Guernsey without a CITES certificate. No ivory items can be sent to the USA.

1 March 2025 10:00 GMT
Guernsey, United Kingdom

Martel Maides

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
£0 £21 £2
£22 £27 £3
£28 £29 £2
£30 £99 £5
£100 £199 £10
£200 £319 £20
£320 £379 £30
£380 £419 £20
£420 £479 £30
£480 £519 £20
£520 £579 £30
£580 £619 £20
£620 £679 £30
£680 £699 £20
£700 £1,499 £50
£1,500 £1,999 £100
£2,000 £3,199 £200
£3,200 £3,799 £300
£3,800 £4,199 £200
£4,200 £4,799 £300
£4,800 £4,999 £200
£5,000 £14,999 £500
£15,000 £19,999 £1,000
£20,000 £31,999 £2,000
£32,000 £37,999 £3,000
£38,000 £41,999 £2,000
£42,000 £47,999 £3,000
£48,000 £49,999 £2,000
£50,000 £99,999 £5,000
£100,000 £199,999 £10,000
£200,000 £319,999 £20,000
£320,000 £379,999 £30,000
£380,000 £499,999 £20,000
£500,000 £1,499,999 £50,000
£1,500,000 + £100,000