Artwork
My Eldest son on board the ship going up to Constantinople
My Eldest son on board the ship going up to Constantinople is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist Charlotte Inglefield. It dates from 1856 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
My Eldest Son on Board the Ship Going Up to Constantinople is a watercolour depicting a serene, intimate moment of a young boy and several dogs on a ship's deck, set against a distant seascape with hills.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is the artist's eldest son, portrayed in a red cap and grey jacket, engaging with the viewer amidst playful dogs of varied breeds. The scene conveys a sense of everyday life and familial connection within a travel context, possibly reflecting the family's journeys.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the work features a detailed, observational approach to the figures, deck objects (ladder, barrel, cloth), and natural setting, suggesting a blend of realism and gentle, personal sentiment.
History & Provenance
Part of an album with 49 drawings (across 42 sheets) focusing on Turkish and Tunisian themes, the work's authorship may be shared among family members (Charlotte, S.H.S., Loftus, and A.A.H. Inglefield), with some pieces signed.
Context
Created within the context of the artist's family travels, the piece reflects 19th-century European interest in Orientalist themes, though its focus on family life adds a personal, introspective layer to the genre.
Legacy
As part of a broader collection of Inglefield family artworks, its legacy lies in providing insight into both the artistic practices of a family across generations and the daily experiences of European travelers in the Mediterranean during the 19th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charlotte Inglefield painted watercolours of people and places during the 1850s. She captured scenes like *My Eldest son on board the ship going up to Constantinople* and *Jewish girl in full costume*, showing travelers…
![Fes [Fez] Makers at Tunis, by Charlotte Inglefield](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/charlotte-inglefield--fes-fez-makers-at-tunis--9ed73b21455079c2-w320.webp)
