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VICTORY coming through The Heads

Artist C Stephens

Date1897

Object number00008415

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour and ink on paper

DimensionsOverall: 425 × 785 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection

Terms

Sydney Heads

DescriptionThree masted full-rigged ship with the name VICTORY on its bow. Signed and dated 'C. Stephens 1897' in the lower right corner.HistoryThe painting depicts a three masted ship under full sail entering Sydney Harbour through Sydney heads, with two other ships following. The name 'VICTORY' is on the bow of the ship. In 1897, the year the painting was produced, there are four vessels registered with that name on the Lloyds List, of these three sailed the United Kingdom - New Zealand route. However, it is difficult to confirm the actual ship represented. The VICTORY in this painting flies the flag of the Aberdeen White Star Line, the company did not own ship called VICTORY. Considering the flag and colours of the Aberdeen Line it is possible, if Stephens painted the ship arriving in Sydney in 1897, that it may actually be the ARISTIDES. There is no recorded information regarding the artist of this painting C.Stephens. SignificanceThe Aberdeen Line was founded in 1824, and long occupied a prominent place in the Australian trade with its fleet of fast-sailing clippers