“He whom the gods love dies young,” wrote the Greek dramatist Menander (342/41–291 BC). Maybe so, but the death of a gifted artist at a relatively young age is still tragic. Who knows what greater things that individual might have accomplished had he or she lived longer?
Canada has a rich legacy of marine art, a fact which should come as no surprise. Water is virtually everywhere in the second largest country after Russia. Canada has the world’s longest coastline (243,042 km) and the world’s largest fresh water area (891,163 sq km). The vastness and grandeur of the Canadian landscape have provided artists with a wellspring of inspiration.
The nautical terms “starboard” and “port” are often a source of confusion for landlubbers, including journalists and writers. It could be, too, for some seafarers. Here are some ways to always remember the difference between these two terms.
Lovers have always been a popular subject in art. Surprisingly, as far as I can tell, there are not many works of art that depict lovers by the sea. The following are five which are so themed.
I can’t get enough of art depicting shipwrecks. I am sure that many readers of Marine Café Blog feel the same way. So, as a sequel to an earlier post (‘Six paintings of shipwrecks that will blow your mind’), here are six more paintings on the subject with my annotations.
Eulogies are not only for dead heroes. Moved by the demise of the HMS Temeraire after a 40-year career, three poets paid tribute to the gallant ship. One was English and the other two were Americans, which goes to show that the Temeraire’s fame extended beyond the shores of Great Britain.
So much has been written about J.M.W. Turner’s ‘The Fighting Temeraire tugged to her last berth to be broken up, 1838’ (pictured above) that another commentary on the subject would seem superfluous. However, I thought I would share my personal thoughts on the best known work of the English Romantic painter. I just find it so intriguing.
The words commonly used to describe classical ballet dancers — agility, speed, lightness, grace — may apply as well to sailboats. Watching the latter glide on the water, their sails resplendent in the sunlight, is like watching a ballet at sea.
The Nile is considered the longest river in the world with its total length of 6,650 kilometres (4,132 miles). Rising south of the Equator, it flows northward through northeastern Africa to drain into the Mediterranean Sea. Its significance, however, goes beyond it physical characteristics or its contribution to the development of ancient Egyptian civilisation.
Since time immemorial, humankind has been fascinated no end by swans. These aquatic birds are not only beautiful and elegant. They have an air of mystery about them.
Is artistic talent genetic and can it be inherited? One is tempted to consider the possibility in the case of Herminie Henriette Gudin, daughter of the 19th-century French marine painter, Theodore Gudin.
It is customary in many countries to usher in the new year with fireworks. The Chinese believe that they drive away evil spirits. Others simply love the sound and spectacle of the pyrotechnics. In lieu of all that, I’d like to share some paintings of sunrise at sea to welcome 2023. I hope that each one will give off good vibes to the readers of Marine Café Blog. Happy New Year!