Dortdrecht: The Dort Packet-Boat from Rotterdam Becalmed, J.M.W. Turner
In the collection of the Yale Center for British Art, which has both a zoomable and downloadable image on their site. There is also a zoomable image on Google Art Project, and a downloadable file on Wikimedia Commons.
This was painted in 1818, just a few years before Turner’s work would take on the fiery glowing light for which he is best known.
There is obvious influence here, both in approach and subject matter, to one of the Dutch painters Turner most admired, Aelbert Cuyp — in particular, the latter painter’s famous take on the subject of a packet-boat in the same harbor, Maas at Dortrecht.
A packet-boat is a domestic carrier of freight and passengers that plies a set route on a regular schedule. Here, Turner portrays one in the Dordrecht (“Dort” to the locals) harbor, its sails set but without a breeze to fill them. He has used the calm water to advantage, fascinating our gaze with a range of reflections.
One of the things I also love about Turner’s harbor scenes is his wonderfully subtle rendering of distant, atmospherically muted cityscapes.
Related posts:
J.M.W. Turner (Lines and Colors search)
Aelbert Cuyp
Eye Candy: Cuyp's Maas at Dortrecht
Turner seems to know and understand the running rigging of these boats, the toping lift, guys and brails on the main are rigged in a workable way.
Presumably local boat men are offering to ferry passengers to and from the becalmed packet.
Dave.
The painting was a BD gift from Walter Ramsden Fawkes to his son, Francis Hawksworth Fawkes, in 1818, that he
bought for 500 guineas.
My special; thanks .
Packet boat or Schooner named De Zwaan (The Swan) Check its flag.
De Grote Kerk = 11th Century Church in the middle background is still standing today.
https://www.grotekerk-dordrecht.nl/language/en/