Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. George Webster died in 1864; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1934.
In context
His majesty's sloop — George Webster
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 67 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of George Webster (1797–1864) every dated painting, decade by decade
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/george-webster-his-majesty-s-sloop-9HTPCQ-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Rosy Brown #b7ac8a
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 22 works by this artist, of which 2 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Kendal, United Kingdom
George Webster stands as a refined and evocative figure within the realm of late 18th and early 19th-century British marine art. His work, characterized by a deep connection to the sea, captures the varied sailing vessels and coastal cities he witnessed firsthand during his travels along the European and British coasts. Adopting the 17th-century Dutch maritime style, Webster brought a sense of historical weight and meticulous detail to his canvases, creating paintings that serve not only as art but as vital, accurate historical records of the ships and naval life of his era.
The scope of Webster's artistry was profoundly shaped by his extensive journeys. His travels allowed him to document the maritime landscapes of the world with an eyewitness's precision. Between 1803 and 1806, his explorations took him to Africa, where he encountered the Slave Coast of West Africa. During this period, he produced poignant works such as a seascape depicting two British slave ships at Fort Christiansborg, a piece now preserved in the Danish Maritime Museum. His ability to translate the atmosphere of distant shores into the language of marine painting highlights a career defined by movement and observation.
As his reputation grew, Webster began exhibiting his work in the most prestigious London galleries, including the Royal Academy, the British Institution, and the Royal Society of British Artists. This exposure allowed his maritime narratives to reach a wider audience, cementing his place within the British art scene. Beyond the brush, he was also a skilled engraver, publishing works that commemorated significant naval events, such as the dedication of a print honoring Captain James Lawrence.
The historical significance of George Webster's oeuvre is reflected in the prestigious institutions that house his works today. His paintings and prints offer a window into a bygone age of sail, preserving the silhouettes of vessels and the moods of the sea for future generations. His artistic legacy is preserved across several major collections, including:
The Victoria & Albert Museum
The British Museum
The National Maritime Museum of England
The Danish Maritime Museum
Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery
The Collection of the British Museum
Through his dedication to the maritime tradition, Webster ensured that the fleeting moments of naval history were captured with a permanence that continues to captivate art historians and maritime enthusiasts alike.
artsdot.com/en/art/download/george-webster-his-majesty-s-sloop-9HTPCQ-en/
Look closely
His majesty's sloop — George Webster
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
"His majesty's sloop" is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction on linen canvas. The order can be placed on its Hand-Painted Reproduction page, with a choice of sizes.
The luminance recorded for "His majesty's sloop" by George Webster is gentle luminance.
The artist behind "His majesty's sloop" is George Webster. The work is catalogued under George Webster's name.