Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this Victorian Marine Oil Painting to the 19th Century.
Late 19th-century British marine oil painting attributed to William Broome of Ramsgate (1838-1892), depicting the vessel traditionally identified as the Ansello of Dundee in violent storm seas with a lifeboat coming to her assistance.
Oil on canvas, monogrammed WB lower left.
In the foreground a lifeboat and its crew battle through enormous breaking waves towards the distressed ship.
The rescue craft has traditionally been identified as the RNLI lifeboat James Sturm.
RNLI historical records independently confirm that James Sturm served at Buckie from 1871 until 1889. Contemporary records also document the lifeboat taking part in rescues during severe weather.
If the traditional identification is correct, the James Sturm service period provides an interesting possible date range for the subject.
William Broome is independently documented as a British marine painter associated with Ramsgate whose known oeuvre includes dramatic shipping and lifeboat rescue subjects. The present work bears a red WB monogram lower left and is offered as attributed to Broome.
An historic Fraser & Son Fine Art label survives verso giving the address 38 Commercial Street, Dundee.
Independent documentary evidence confirms Fraser & Son trading from this address as art dealers and picture-frame makers during the 20th century.
Provenance
Fraser & Son Fine Art, 38 Commercial Street, Dundee.
Private Scottish Dundee marine collection, according to previous provenance.
Lindsay Burns & Company, Perth, Scotland, 5 February 2025, Lot LIVE684, catalogued as a late 19th / early 20th-century Scottish School maritime scene with an RNLI lifeboat going to the rescue of the stricken vessel Ansello of Dundee.
Acquired from the above sale.
Dimensions
Canvas approximately 60 x 90 cm.
Framed approximately 69 x 99 cm.
Condition Report
Unlined canvas displaying age-related craquelure, staining and surface wear. Evidence of historic paint touch-ups and several old patch repairs visible verso. Stretcher impressions are present.
Later decorative gilt frame with rubbing, scuffs, minor losses and general age-related wear.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available.
The painting will be professionally packed with particular attention given to protecting the canvas and decorative frame during transit.
Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution
The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.
Attribution and Research
The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.
These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.
Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this Victorian Marine Oil Painting to the 19th Century.
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Late Victorian Dundee Maritime Rescue Oil Painting Attributed William Broome
