Congestion at the harbor mouth, Margate

Details

George Chambers, Snr. (British, 1803-1840)
Congestion at the harbor mouth, Margate
signed and dated 'George Chambers. 1836' (lower left) and signed with initials 'GC' (lower right)
oil on canvas
38 x 54 in. (56.6 x 137.2 cm.)
painted in 1836

Provenance

Guarisco Gallery, Ltd., Washington, DC

Literature

Alan Russett, George Chambers, 1803-1840, His Life and Work, Woodbridge, 1996, p. 110, no 43 (illustrated)

Special notice

Christie’s generally offers property consigned by others for sale at public auction. From time to time, lots are offered which Christie’s International Plc or one of its subsidiary companies owns in whole or in part. Each lot of such property is offered subject to a reserve, unless otherwise stated, and is identified with the symbol ? next to the lot number. On occasion Christie’s has a direct financial interest in lots consigned for sale. This interest may include guaranteeing a minimum price to the consignor of property or making an advance to the consignor which is secured solely by consigned property. Such property is also offered subject to a reserve and will be identified by the symbol °next to the lot number. Where Christie’s has an ownership or financial interest in every lot in the catalogue, Christie’s will not designate each lot with the appropriate symbol but will state in a legend at the front of the catalogue that we have an interest in every lot in the sale.

Lot Essay

George Chambers was a marine painter and watercolorist born in Whitby, England in 1803. The son of a fisherman, he went to sea at the age of ten and worked as a sailor until he was seventeen. He then started to work as a house and ship painter but soon moved to London where he specialized primarily in ship painting. He also worked on scenery decoration for the Pavilion Theatre. Chambers had many patrons, including naval officers and the Greenwich Hospital, for whom he painted several naval actions which had taken place at the beginning of the century. In 1830 he was commissioned by King William IV to paint four pictures which are still in the Royal Collection. His paintings are noted for being lively and spirited, and for showing a true knowledge of the sea. In 1836 he was elected a member of the Royal Watercolor Society. He died in 1840.

More from Maritime

View All