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The ST DAVID in rough seas
The ST DAVID in rough seas

The ST DAVID in rough seas

Artist (Chinese)
Date1884
Object number00006324
NamePainting
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsOverall: 757 x 990 mm, 4.2 kg
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionAn oil painting on canvas by the Chinese artist Pun Woo of the clipper ship ST DAVID in rough seas with its sails ST DAVID was active in the coal trade between Newcastle and San Francisco and designed by the respected American shipbuilder John McDonald. This painting was produced in Hong Kong during the ST DAVID's visit in 1884. It is one of many ship portraits that were commissioned by captains and owners from local Chinese artists painting in a western style.HistoryThe ST DAVID was built in 1877 by John McDonald of Bath, Maine. The fully rigged ship was 1595 tons and an active vessel in the Pacific trade of lumber and coal. It made a total of five visits to the port of Newcastle between 1899 and 1909. John McDonald was a respected and acclaimed ship builder from the United States who served his apprenticeship under the famed shipwright Donald McKay. Unlike his predecessor, known for building the sleek clipper ship, McDonald focused on incorporating cargo capacity, speed and low maintenance costs into his ships. The vessel HENRY B HYDE is considered to be the finest example of his work. SignificanceThis rare ship portrait can be attributed to the artist Pun Woo, an unusual find as most Chinese trade artists left their works unsigned.
METEOR
c 1852
SUSAN GILMORE
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1880s
The Barque ST KILDA
John Allcot
c 1909
TSS ESSEX and SS ST GEORGE
Hallett Robertson Bartlett
1919 - 1922
The clipper YOUNG AMERICA under full sail
Antonio Nicolo Gasparo Jacobsen
1909
Thames-side shipyard
early-mid 19th century
SOBRAON
William Barnett Spencer
c 1866