A seapiece, a calm
(c. 1783)
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
156.2 × 190.5 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1948
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
To show the effects of light effectively, Thomas Gainsborough painted scenes on glass transparencies and viewed them by means of a ‘peep-show box’, which still survives in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Gainsborough’s experiments with this medium demonstrate his attention to light and atmosphere, in preference to mere replication of detail. In A seapiece, a calm, which was exhibited at London’s Royal Academy in 1783, Gainsborough achieves his realistic effects by focusing on the qualities of light, atmosphere and water.
Artwork Details
Accession Number
1840-4
Department
International Painting
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Subjects (general)
Human Figures Marines and Seascapes
Subjects (specific)
anchorages boats clouds sails (equipment) seas waterfronts yachts
Frame
English, 18th century, surface not original
Frame
The carved English Rococo frame on A seapiece, a calm appears to retain the original gilded surface. It is one of three English Rococo frames in the collection with this form.
Frame Details
Framemaker
Unknown - 18th century
Date
c.1783
Materials
carved timber and gold leaf
Frame Condition
worn original condition