PAINTING

Painting was the most common technique used in the 19th century, when portrait artists needed an in-depth knowledge of shipbuilding. Technological advances in photography have made painted portraits much less technical and creative.

AN INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY

The ship portrait began as a pictorial genre in countries where the major shipping companies were established and then spread across Europe and America, following the routes of the ships.

Brig Julito, Captain Francisco Colomé

Oil on canvas

ca. 1847-1859

James Guy Evans

Frigate Blanca Aurora, Captain Silbestre Parés

Watercolour

1853

Joseph Honoré Maxime Pellegrin

Spanish barque Jaruco, Captain Pablo Cabañas in view from the port of Havana

Oil on canvas

1860

Edward Everard Arnold

Frigate Marcelino Jané, of the Marcelino Jané y Cía.

Oil on canvas

1875

William Howard Yorke

Steamship Ana de Sala of the Sala y Vidal society

Oil on canvas

1881

Josep Mongay i Torné

Steamship Cristobal Colón

Oil on canvas

Sense data

Adolfo Giráldez y Peñalver

TECHNIQUES AND PORTRAIT ARTISTS

Joan Monjo i Pons (1818 – 1884). An educated scientist, he studied nautical and mechanical engineering. He headed the design, construction and testing of the two Ictíneo submarines. Later, he ran the Arenys de Mar Nautical School and founded the Vilassar de Mar Nautical School.

Rafel Monjo i Segura (1858 – 1922). He was the son of Joan Monjo i Pons and his successor as manager of the Nautical School of Vilassar de Mar, which he held until the school was closed. He combined this role with that of painter, dedicating his time to marine-themed paintings, among other things.

Brig Joven Joaquin of the Jover y Serra shipping company

Tempera

1867

Joan Monjo i Pons

Schooner brig Clotilde

Tempera

1894

Rafael Monjo i Segura

SPECIALIST WORKSHOPS

Some artists had so many commissions that they created specialized workshops.

Josep Pineda i Guerra, born in Alicante in 1837, he studied sailing, travelled as a sailor and, following his father’s footsteps, worked as a shipowner all his life. In 1872, he settled in Barceloneta, where he became one of the best known ship portrait painters, both for his technical knowledge and his accuracy. Nearly 3,000 works have been attributed to him. The secret of his production was the use of templates and models, along with the help of assistants, including his daughter.

Antonio Nicolo Gasparo Jacobsen, a Danish artist who painted over 6,000 portraits of sail and steam ships. He had a specialist workshop in West Hoboken, New Jersey, on the west bank of the Hudson river, near the port of New York. He also had helpers. The practise of painting a number of portraits from blueprints is attributed to him.

Steamship Nuevo Primer Barreras of the Hijos de J. Barreras

Tempera and ink

1876

Josep Pineda Guerra

Frigate Rosa Alegret of the Marcelino Jané shipping company

Tempera and ink

1894

Josep Pineda Guerra

Shipping fleet Balcells i Subirán

Tempera and ink

1889

Josep Pineda Guerra

Steamship Catalina of the Pinillos shipping company

Tempera

1894

Josep Pineda Guerra

Schooner brig Joya del Llobregat, Captain Miguel López

Tempera

1894

Josep Pineda Guerra

Steamship Habana of the Compañía Trasatlántica Española

Oil on canvas

19th century

Antonio Nicolo Gasparo Jacobsen

Steamship Pío IX of the Pinillos shipping company

Oil on canvas

1892

Antonio Nicolo Gasparo Jacobsen

THE DEVELOPMENT OF PAINTED PORTRAITS

When photography reached a level of technical accuracy impossible to achieve with painting, some painters abandoned the documentary demands of portraits. They were able prioritise the creative side, seeking new points of view and using colours more daringly.