Who painted The Frigate?

The Frigate was painted by Samuel Atkins in 1798.

Where can I see The Frigate?

The Frigate is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is The Frigate?

The Frigate is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

The Frigate

Samuel Atkins , 1798

The Frigate is a watercolor work on paper by the Rococo painting artist Samuel Atkins. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Samuel Atkins' 1798 watercolour, The Frigate, depicts a large sailing ship navigating turbulent waters, characterized by soft, blended colours and meticulous detail.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a frigate in motion, emphasizing its resilience amidst rough seas, with a distant, stationary smaller ship providing contrast. The composition may allude to themes of perseverance or the power of nature.

Technique & Style

Atkins employed soft, blended watercolours to convey the ship's movement and the wildness of the waves, juxtaposed with clean lines for the vessel itself, reflecting early Romantic influences in its emphasis on natural drama.

History & Provenance

Created in 1798, the work bears the artist's signature. Specific provenance details are not provided, highlighting only its creation date and attribution.

Context

The Frigate can be contextualized within the emerging Romantic movement in art, which often highlighted the sublime in natural landscapes and the human (or vessel's) place within it.

Legacy

While not explicitly linked to broader artistic movements beyond its Romantic undertones, The Frigate remains a notable example of late 18th-century watercolour maritime art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Samuel Atkins

Samuel Atkins (fl. 1787–1808), was a British marine painter. Atkins contributed to the Royal Academy between 1787 and 1796. From 1796 to 1804 he was in the East Indies, when he returned to England, and continued to…