Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this Antique Marine Oil Painting to the 1910s.
An important early 20th century marine oil depicting the historic three masted steel sailing ship Wiscombe Park, cautiously attributed to Australian maritime painter Reginald Arthur Borstel 1875-1922, circa 1910-1917.
Highlights
Attributed to Reginald Arthur Borstel
Circa 1910-1917
Oil on canvas, unsigned
Canvas approximately 59 x 90 cm
Historic 281 ft, 2228 ton sailing ship
Built by John Blumer and Co, Sunderland
Probable G Windram and Co house flag
Separate Borstel Wiscombe Park documented in 1917
David Duggleby provenance
introduction
A striking documentary ship portrait showing Wiscombe Park under an impressive spread of sail.
The prominent red house flag appears to carry reversed GW and Co lettering, suggesting G Windram and Co of Liverpool.
Catalogue Details
Artist: Attributed to Reginald Arthur Borstel 1875-1922
Date: Circa 1910-1917
Medium: Oil on canvas
Signed: Unsigned
Vessel: Wiscombe Park
Type: Three masted steel full rigged cargo ship
Builder: John Blumer and Co, Sunderland
Yard Number: 117
Completed: 1892
Managers: G Windram and Co, Liverpool
Official Number: 99361
Signal Letters: WLBP
Tonnage: Approximately 2228 tons
Length: Approximately 281 ft
Breadth: Approximately 42.2 ft
Canvas: Approximately 59 x 90 cm
Framed: Approximately 74.5 x 105.5 x 1.5 cm
Catalogue Note
Previously catalogued as English School, subsequent research identified a separate portrait of Wiscombe Park recorded under Reginald Arthur Borstel and dated 1917.
That painting is a different composition and does not authenticate the present work, but establishes Wiscombe Park as a documented Borstel subject.
The probable G Windram and Co house flag may show the vessel in her pre 1911 appearance. The canvas itself could have been painted later from an earlier photograph. The present unsigned work is therefore cautiously catalogued as attributed to Borstel, circa 1910-1917.
Importance and Ship History
Wiscombe Park was a substantial steel ocean going merchant ship. At approximately 281 ft long and 2228 tons, she was built for international deep sea cargo service. Her three masted full rigged configuration was increasingly unusual among large sailing ships.
John Blumer and Co completed her at Sunderland in 1892 for Ship Wiscombe Park Co Ltd, with G Windram and Co of Liverpool as managers.
She changed ownership in 1911, entered French ownership in 1919 as Edouard Bureau, and later entered German ownership and sail training service.
Australian Connection
Australia formed an important part of her trading history. Wiscombe Park is documented in Australian waters in 1917, the same year as the separate Borstel portrait.
Her final voyage began at Port Pirie, South Australia, in 1927 carrying wheat for Europe. After severe weather around Cape Horn and a later grounding in the Irish Sea, the vessel was eventually broken up.
Dating and Flags
The probable G Windram and Co flag suggests that the scene may preserve Wiscombe Park in her pre 1911 appearance. A later execution from an earlier photograph remains possible, supporting the cautious circa 1910-1917 dating.
Provenance
Private collection, Northern England.
David Duggleby Auctioneers and Valuers, Scarborough, January 2025, Lot 4020.
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.
Condition Report
Historic condition with extensive craquelure, staining and surface wear. Old canvas repairs and areas of restoration and retouching are present. Later Larson Juhl gilt frame with minor wear. Please study all photographs.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available.
The painting will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.
Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this Antique Marine Oil Painting to the 1910s.
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Wiscombe Park Marine Oil Attributed to Reginald Arthur Borstel
