This fine portrait dates from what is considered to be Samuel Walters' most important period. Only a very few works from this early stage in Walters' career ever come on the market. In this excellent work, the rising 24 year old artist illustrated not only his trademark technical mastery, but also his strong grasp of seamanship that is so necessary to narrative marine painting.
The 601 gross ton VICTORIA was a full-rigged ship built in New York in 1834. She was owned by Captain and Company and for most of her career sailed from the port of Charleston, South Carolina on the Liverpool Run. She is an early transatlantic packet ship, and would be followed by a namesake of the reigning Queen of England in 1843 for the Black X Line from New York to London.
Shown here arriving off Holyhead, with South Stack just visible under her bowsprit, VICTORIA wears a three flag Liverpool Code "1200-8-3" at her foremast for the Holyhead signal station who will relay the news of her identity and arrival to Liverpool. This splendid narrative painting is a rare and important example of the unmistakable early style of the artist who became known as the "aristocrat of marine painters".
