Shipping in a Calm
by BROOKING, Charles, Oil on canvas, 36 x 56 cm
At their best Brooking’s pictures of shipping in calm waters rival the finest work of Willem van de Velde. In this painting there is a light breeze coming from the left. An English 18 gun frigate is shown starboard quarter to, with a cutter and two luggers beside her. Her fore and main topsails are set, the mizzen topsail being hoisted, and she flies pennants at each masthead and a Red Ensign at the stern. On the horizon is a second frigate of 20 guns, and in the right foreground lies a fishing pink.