DIMENSIONS:

Framed 28″ x 20 ¾” x ¾”

Picture: 23 ¾” x 16 ¾”

Presented is a beautiful and dramatic oil on paper painting of Barque “ELLA” by Reuben Chappell (1870-1940) of Goole, England. It was probably done around the late 19th, early 20th Century. It dramatically depicts a ship in rough seas with reduced sail, with some sails in tatters still on their yards.

Stern & Bow and Right Side Detail – also showing slight damage on right upper portion in photo on right

Stern & left side detail

Reuben Chappell was a well known maritime artist and excellent draftsman of his time as can be seen in his work. He was born on July 21, 1870 in Doyle Street, Goole, the youngest son of six children. His father was a joiner who in later life became a master cabinet-maker. Chappell was born near to the docks of Goole, so that from his childhood, he was familiar with ships and seafarers. As ships arrived in Goole ,Chappell went down to the docks to invite commissions, sketching details of the ship to be painted, and then returning to his studio to complete the work, either in watercolours or in oils. He charged five shillings for a watercolour and thirty shillings for a portrait in oils. He was a modest man, quiet, reliable and industrious. Isolated from art schools and studios, primarily self taught, he was an essential part of the marine community. His friends were sailors.