Constantinos Volanakis Greek, 1837-1907

Given the distinguished maritime histories of ancient and modern Greece, it is unsurprising that a national school of maritime artists developed during the later nineteenth century.

In the present work, Volanakis features a modern steamship in the centre of the composition. Recording even minute details of varying vessels was a passion of Volanakis, and he was fascinated with depicting the continuous progress in shipbuilding at the time. Signed in Greek it is likely that the present work was painted sometime between 1884 and 1907, upon Volanakis' return to Greece.

In contrast to his more calm and lyrical harbour views and depictions of fishermen at work, the bold painterly execution of the present work reflects the dynamism of the fast steamer as it cuts through the waves 'full steam ahead', trailing a cloud of black smoke behind it. Fittingly, Volanakis thus opted for a thoroughly modern painterly technique in this depiction of a ship that was representative of  the latest scientific and nautical developments of the time.