Who painted Watercolour of ship's figurehead: harbour scene on verso?

Watercolour of ship's figurehead: harbour scene on verso was painted by Calvert Richard Jones in 1850.

Where can I see Watercolour of ship's figurehead: harbour scene on verso?

Watercolour of ship's figurehead: harbour scene on verso is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Watercolour of ship's figurehead: harbour scene on verso

Watercolour of ship's figurehead: harbour scene on verso is a drawing by Calvert Richard Jones. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

He created this drawing during that time, and it's interesting to note that the harbour scene on the back adds an extra layer of context to the work.

This drawing is a watercolour of a ship's figurehead with a harbour scene on the back.

The artist, Calvert Richard Jones, was a British artist who lived in the 19th century. He created this drawing during that time, and it's interesting to note that the harbour scene on the back adds an extra layer of context to the work.

To learn more about the techniques used in this drawing, you can look into cross-hatching.

Overview

This watercolour, executed by the 19th‑century British artist Calvert Richard Jones, presents a detailed rendering of a ship’s figurehead. The image occupies the front of the sheet, while the reverse side contains a complementary harbour scene, linking the figurehead to its maritime environment.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif is the carved figurehead that once adorned a vessel’s prow, a traditional emblem of identity and protection for seafarers. By juxtaposing it with a harbour view on the verso, Jones hints at the figurehead’s role within the broader context of port life and shipbuilding.

Technique & Style

Jones employs transparent watercolour washes to model the figurehead’s three‑dimensional form, accentuated by fine cross‑hatching that defines shadows and texture. The reverse harbour scene is rendered with a similarly delicate palette, allowing the two images to converse through consistent handling of line and tone.

History & Provenance

Created in the 1800s, the work reflects Jones’s interest in nautical subjects during a period of intense British maritime activity. The dual‑sided composition suggests it may have served as a study or illustrative sheet for patrons involved in ship design or coastal commerce, though its precise ownership history remains undocumented.