Samuel Scott

Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, November 20, 1985, lot 16;
There purchased by the present family.

Guidhall, London, Samuel Scott Bi-Centenary. Paintings, Drawings and Engravings, 1972, no.3.

R. Kingsett, "A Catalogue of the Works of Samuel Scott", in Walpole Society, 1982, Vol. XLVIII, p. 18, no. F.

Old relining is firm and stable. under slightly yellowed varnish. there is generally good retention of the paint surface with nice detail in ships. there is a slight degree of thinness in some areas of the water, in rowboat in foreground, and some of the rigging. retouching along bottom edge is visible to the naked eye. ultraviolet light reveals small retouches throughout the sky, along all four edges, to small sail boat in background at far left, and to right side of log at lower left corner. a few others scattered. In a carved and gilt wood frame with some nicks.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Scott's early marine pictures, of which is this a highly representative example, demonstrates the influence and direct knowledge of Willem van de Velde II (1633-1707). Rather than taking his compositions directly from observation, Scott often intertwined individual elements from various Dutch pictures.  Yet, in spite of his connection to the Dutch tradition, he developed his own style and was an important forerunner of the 18th century English marine painting school.

This wonderful image displays Scott's ability to capture the effects of light on the water, as well as his ability to successfully render the colossal sailing vessels of the 18th century, so vital to the maritime dominance of the British Fleet. Here, Scott offers a variant on another of his works with the same title, dated 1729; however, he has added the ships and barge and replaced the fisherman on the shore in the right foreground with two others trailing a net from a row boat.¹

1. R. Kingsett, "A Catalogue of the Works of Samuel Scott", in Walpole Society, 1982, Vol. XLVIII, p. 18, no. E