Big Sky Fine Art has dated this French Navy Battleship Painting to the 1910s.
This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.
French ( b.XIX - d.XX ).
A La Mémoire De Courbet.
Gouache & Watercolour On Buff Paper.
Signed Lower Right.
Image size 16.5 inches x 27.5 inches ( 42cm x 69.5cm ).
Frame size 25.8 inches x 38.6 inches ( 65.5cm x 98cm ).
The creator is not listed as an artist in journals or art indexes but it is likely that the artist was a sailor serving on the warship.
It is presented and supplied in a sympathetic contemporary wooden frame (which is shown in these photographs).
The paper surface has benefitted from cleaning, restoration and conservation, which was performed on our instruction, supervision and approval.
This antique painting is in a good sound condition providing heightened decoration and historical record for many decades to come. The buff colouration of the paper and the paint pigments perfectly represents the aesthetics of the era in which it was created. It wants for nothing and is supplied ready to hang and display.
The painting is signed lower right.
Good News for our US Customers!
From 24 July 2026 the original works of art we sell are classified under the US Harmonised Tariff Schedule (HTS) Chapter 97 as exempt from the additional Section 301 import tariffs introduced in February 2026. This means that this original work of art can be imported into the United States without these additional tariffs. This allows American customers to buy from us with confidence, knowing that they are not going to be penalised by this global tariff.
Please note that normal U.S. Customs procedures and any applicable US State sales or use taxes remain unchanged.
We provide a professional shipping and delivery service which is free to customers in the UK, Europe, USA and Canada. We can also provide other worldwide delivery on any purchase. Please contact us for further information.
This is a wonderful original painting in gouache and watercolour of the French Navy Ironclad Warship Courbet which dates from around 1910 – 1912. It is likely that the artist was a sailor serving on the warship.
The painting depicts a warship with three masts, flying the French tricolour flags and the lifebuoy on the rocks in the bottom left corner is inscribed with the words “A la mémoire de Courbet”.
The Courbet was part of the French Navy’s ironclad Courbet Class Central Battery ships, built in from the late 1870s to early 1880s. The Courbet Class were the largest central battery ships ever built and comprised the Courbet and the Devastation.
The ship was originally named Foudroyant (‘Lightning”), but she was renamed to honour the great French Admiral Amédée Courbet in 1885. Anatole-Amédée-Prosper Courbet (1827-1885) won a series of important land and naval victories during the Tonkin Campaign (1883-860 and the Sino-French War (1884- 1885). He then died of cholera and was commemorated as something of a national hero and given a state funeral. The Courbet shown here was the first of three French naval vessels named after this wise and intelligent Commander.
The Courbet’s notable dates are:
Laid down 19 July 1875
Launched 27 April 1882, as Foudroyant
Commissioned 20 October 1886, as Courbet
Decommissioned 4 January 1903
Stricken 5 February 1909
Fate Sold for scrap, 25 August 1910
© Big Sky Fine Art
A full range of stock is available to browse or purchase at www.bigskyfineart.com .
Big Sky Fine Art has dated this French Navy Battleship Painting to the 1910s.
This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.
Original paintings and drawings from the 18th to the 20th centuries, carefully selected for their quality, character and artistic merit
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Big Sky Fine Art Profile Page
French Navy Ironclad Battleship. A La Mémoire De Courbet. Circa 1910. Framed Gouache & Watercolour Painting. A Sailor's Sentimental Tribute to His Ship and Shipmates.
