“The ‘Art’ of Admiralty” No. 1
With the current interest and debate around the “Art of Admiralty” The Naval Review is delighted to bring you a monthly series of Naval Maritime Art by courtesy of Maritime Originals and Maritime Prints. Any member interested in purchasing such a picture is entitled to an NR discount.
Captain Rick Cosby established Maritime Originals (www.maritimeoriginals.com) and Maritime Prints (www.maritimeprints.com over a quarter of a century ago and his pictures are already well known to many members. He will offer a fresh original and or print every month on the NR website and quarterly in the journal.
A very familiar sight to those of us who were at BRNC Dartmouth, little of real substance has changed since this watercolour was painted in 1928. Its a magnificent building set in an incomparable position on a hill commanding views over the River Dart and its town and estuary. Sir Aston Webb had already been commissioned to design Admiralty Arch and the front of Buckingham Palace and in 1900 he set to work on the new Naval college. Training of young officers started in the building in 1905 and the two training hulks on the river, hitherto used for this, were de-commissioned.
The artist, Frank Watson Wood (1862-1953) is very well known and respected in marine art circles as he seems to have been the “artist to go to” when a leaving present was required for a wardroom member. At this he was prolific and his works, carefully studied and well drafted, invariably fetch good prices at auction.
The original watercolour (9 x 15 ins) £1000. Limited edition (49) prints £100. Discount for NR members of 5% on the original, 10% on the prints
