Baltic Barque Ship Britannia Of Åland Under Full Sail — Capt. August Ekblom

Description

“Britannia Of Åland Under Full Sail” — Capt. August Ekblom
A Documented Baltic Trading Barque | After Andreas Lind, London 1869 | B. Hartvik, Mariehamn 1979

Subject & Medium
A substantial and finely executed maritime oil painting depicting the three-masted barque “Britannia of Åland,” shown under full sail and prominently inscribed with both vessel and master: Captain August Ekblom.
Painted in oil on canvas in Mariehamn (Åland) in 1979 by B. Hartvik, this work faithfully follows an original composition painted from life in London in 1869 by the noted marine artist Andreas Gundersen Lind. The painting sits firmly within the Northern European tradition of documentary ship portraiture, where vessels were recorded with precision, pride, and technical understanding.

Composition & Technique
The vessel is presented in strict profile—a defining feature of professional 19th-century marine portraiture—allowing full and accurate representation of the ship’s structure, rigging, and sail plan.
The Britannia is shown on a starboard tack, moving left to right, a compositional convention symbolising forward motion and successful passage.
The artist demonstrates strong observational control through:
Precisely articulated standing and running rigging
Clear structural definition of masts and spars
Subtle tonal modelling across sails, suggesting wind pressure and canvas tension
The restrained treatment of sea and sky reflects the documentary intent of the composition, ensuring the vessel remains the central focus.

Historical Context
The original composition was painted in London in 1869, during the height of the sailing era, when the port stood as one of the busiest maritime centres in the world.
At this time:
Scandinavian vessels were central to European trade
Åland produced skilled captains and seafarers
Timber and grain flowed continuously from the Baltic to Britain
This painting represents not an imagined scene, but a working vessel within a vital international trade network, captured at a moment of active service.

About the Ship
The Britannia is depicted as a three-masted barque, the most efficient and widely used merchant sailing rig of the mid-19th century.
She carries a full and convincing sail plan:
Square sails set on the foremast and mainmast (courses, topsails, topgallants)
Fore-and-aft mizzen rig, including spanker
Multiple headsails (jibs) set forward
Staysails between the masts
This configuration indicates a vessel in favourable wind conditions, under full working sail and making steady progress.
Rather than speculative measurements, the ship is best understood as:
A mid-sized ocean-going merchant barque
Designed for Baltic–North Sea trade routes
Operated by a disciplined Scandinavian crew
The vessel sails under the Russian merchant ensign, reflecting Finland’s status within the Russian Empire (1809–1917).
Additional identifying details include:
A red masthead pennant bearing the name “BRITANNIA” (correctly reversed on the far side)
A blue numeric signal flag
A full signal hoist indicating active maritime communication
These elements confirm the painting as a faithful representation of a working vessel observed directly.

The Sea & Background
The sea is rendered with controlled movement—rolling swells rather than dramatic waves—suggesting a vessel in steady passage rather than distress.
Deep blue-green tones with lighter crests
Directional wave pattern reinforcing forward motion
Subtle white highlights indicating wind interaction
In the background:
A low coastline appears to the left, likely referencing the English coast or Thames approaches
A secondary sailing vessel appears in the far distance to the right, adding depth and reinforcing the sense of an active shipping lane
The sky, though now showing age-related wear, originally functioned as a neutral atmospheric field, typical of Lind’s work, allowing the ship to remain dominant.

About the Artist
The composition originates from Andreas Gundersen Lind (1815–1885):
Scandinavian marine painter of recognised standing
Former sailor
Active in London
Known for painting ships from life in port
The present work, executed by B. Hartvik in 1979, belongs to a recognised Scandinavian tradition of preserving historic maritime subjects through carefully executed later versions.

Signed
Signed and inscribed lower left:
“After And. Lind’s gouache painted in London 1869. Mariehamn 1979 B. Hartvik.”
Ship inscription:
“BRITANNIA FRÅN ÅLAND CAPT. AUG. EKBLOM”

Framed
Presented in its original 1970s gilt moulded frame, appropriate to the period of execution and enhancing its traditional maritime character.

Size
Canvas: 80 cm wide × 58.5 cm high
Frame: 87 cm wide × 65.5 cm high × 3.7 cm deep
A substantial and well-balanced format, offering strong visual presence.

Provenance
Recorded in the art market with sale date 27 February 2013 (MutualArt record; auction details not publicly indexed)
Sale, Skånes Auktionsverk, Landskrona, Sweden — Online Auction, 18 December 2018
Private Collection
With Bushwood Antiques
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

Why You’ll Love It
A named vessel and captain, elevating it beyond decorative marine art
Based on a documented 1869 London ship portrait painted from life
Strong Scandinavian maritime authenticity and provenance
Highly accurate rigging, sail plan, and signal flags
A vivid representation of the Baltic trading world at its peak
Combines historical narrative, craftsmanship, and visual impact
An outstanding conversation piece with genuine maritime depth

Condition Report
The painting presents well overall but shows condition consistent with age and environmental exposure.
Areas of paint loss, particularly within the sky and sea
Visible foxing and surface staining
Generalised craquelure across the paint layer
Evidence of vertical water staining
The canvas shows areas of thinning, with some small tears present
The work would benefit from professional cleaning and sympathetic restoration, which would likely enhance clarity and overall presentation.
The original frame shows:
Losses to the gilding
Discolouration and staining
General wear consistent with age
Despite these issues, the painting retains strong visual impact and remains an excellent candidate for restoration.

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Reserve: $8,100.00

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