What characterises 19th-century British marine oil paintings?

Victorian marine painting focused heavily on detailed depictions of shipping vessels, coastal infrastructure, and atmospheric water conditions, reflecting Britains maritime commerce and naval prominence during the period.

What traditional materials were used in 19th-century marine art?

Artisans typically applied oil-based pigments onto stretched linen or cotton canvas, framing the completed work in carved timber frames finished with gold leaf or metal alloy gilding.

How can you identify authentic oil paintings from the Victorian era?

Authentic period paintings display natural craquelure throughout the paint layers, age-related discolouration on the reverse canvas, traditional stretcher keys, and hand-carved or molded plaster-on-wood gilt frames.

How do you style a classic seascape painting in a modern interior?

Position the framed painting as a central focal piece above a fireplace mantel or wooden sideboard, pairing it with neutral wall colours and traditional timber furniture to ground the artwork.

What is the correct way to preserve an antique oil painting?

Display the artwork away from direct sunlight, humid environments, and active heat sources. Clean the frame gently with a dry, soft-bristled brush and employ professional restorers for canvas surface cleaning.

for sale €9,126 $9,906

£7,800

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Id #SA781360

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Seascape Oil Painting of Ships and Boats at the Port of Hull by Francis Moltino

19th century

For Sale by Benton Fine Art

Description

Francis Moltino

Italian, (1818-1888)

The Port of Hull

Oil on canvas

Image size: 22 inches x 35 inches

Size including frame: 27.25 inches x 40.25 inches

Provenance: Stacy-Marks

A wonderful seascape painting of the Port of Hull by Francis Moltino. The scene shows the Port of Hull from the Humber with the tower of Hull Minster rising above in the centre. The distinctive factory chimneys of areas such as Wilmington can also be seen in the distance. At the time, Hull was an important port and had an array of different vessels pass through, from sailing ships to small fishing boats which Moltino has depicted in the painting.

Francis or Frank Moltino was a marine painter born in Milan, Italy around 1818. By the early 1840’s, he had moved to England where he married and had several children. One of his daughters, Frances Moltino, also became an artist. The family initially lived in the Tower Hamlet area of London before moving to 5 Little Russell Street, from where he began exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1848. Works at the RA include ‘Early Morning – Waiting for the Tide’, ‘View of the Thames’, ‘ Battersea Old Mill’, and ‘Morning on Burgh Flats’.

As well as painting views of the Thames he also travelled around the coast of England. Later on, he visited Venice and produced a number of works of the famous city, returning to England by 1880, where he lived at 13 Rush Hill Terrace, Lavender Hill, Battersea. He died at 31 Fitzwilliam-road, Clapham on 15 April 1888.

Moltino’s works have a continental feel and with his brushwork and pastel coloured palette, his style is often compared with Turner. Many of his subjects featured busy harbour views such as this fine example. Examples of his paintings can be found at the Guildhall Art Gallery and the Cooper Gallery, Barnsley.

Presentation: The painting is housed in its original period gilt frame which is in excellent condition. The back of the painting bears a Stacy-Marks gallery stock label from the 1960’s, who at the time were based at 120-122 Terminus Road, Eastbourne.

Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.

© Benton Fine Art

Physical Dimensions

Height

69.5cm (27.36")

Width

102.5cm (40.35")

Depth

6.5cm (2.56")

Declaration

Benton Fine Art has dated this Francis Moltino Seascape Painting to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA781360

Dealers Notes

Members of the British Antique Dealers Association (BADA) the London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association (LAPADA).

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If you would like to purchase this item or have any questions, please email us at pictures@bentonfineart.com or call 07710 540549.

© Benton Fine Art

Description

Francis Moltino

Italian, (1818-1888)

The Port of Hull

Oil on canvas

Image size: 22 inches x 35 inches

Size including frame: 27.25 inches x 40.25 inches

Provenance: Stacy-Marks

A wonderful seascape painting of the Port of Hull by Francis Moltino.

“

The scene shows the Port of Hull from the Humber with the tower of Hull Minster rising above in the centre.

Benton Fine Art

The distinctive factory chimneys of areas such as Wilmington can also be seen in the distance. At the time, Hull was an important port and had an array of different vessels pass through, from sailing ships to small fishing boats which Moltino has depicted in the painting.

fig 1. A 19th-century Victorian oil painting depicting masted ships in the harbour of Hull set within a moulded gold gilt frame. — fig 1. Seascape Oil Painting of Ships and Boats at the Port of Hull by Francis Moltino

Francis or Frank Moltino was a marine painter born in Milan, Italy around 1818. By the early 1840’s, he had moved to England where he married and had several children. One of his daughters, Frances Moltino, also became an artist. The family initially lived in the Tower Hamlet area of London before moving to 5 Little Russell Street, from where he began exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1848. Works at the RA include ‘Early Morning – Waiting for the Tide’, ‘View of the Thames’, ‘ Battersea Old Mill’, and ‘Morning on Burgh Flats’.

fig 2. A 19th-century Victorian oil painting depicting masted ships in the harbour of Hull set within a moulded gold gilt frame. — fig 2. Seascape Oil Painting of Ships and Boats at the Port of Hull by Francis Moltino

As well as painting views of the Thames he also travelled around the coast of England. Later on, he visited Venice and produced a number of works of the famous city, returning to England by 1880, where he lived at 13 Rush Hill Terrace, Lavender Hill, Battersea. He died at 31 Fitzwilliam-road, Clapham on 15 April 1888.

fig 3. A 19th-century Victorian oil painting depicting masted ships in the harbour of Hull set within a moulded gold gilt frame. — fig 3. Seascape Oil Painting of Ships and Boats at the Port of Hull by Francis Moltino

Moltino’s works have a continental feel and with his brushwork and pastel coloured palette, his style is often compared with Turner. Many of his subjects featured busy harbour views such as this fine example. Examples of his paintings can be found at the Guildhall Art Gallery and the Cooper Gallery, Barnsley.

fig 4. A 19th-century Victorian oil painting depicting masted ships in the harbour of Hull set within a moulded gold gilt frame. — fig 4. Seascape Oil Painting of Ships and Boats at the Port of Hull by Francis Moltino

Presentation: The painting is housed in its original period gilt frame which is in excellent condition. The back of the painting bears a Stacy-Marks gallery stock label from the 1960’s, who at the time were based at 120-122 Terminus Road, Eastbourne.

Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.