Painted with unsurpassed detail, Robert Salmon's works are desirable to collectors the world over, due to the impressive amount of historic subject matter presented through artistic compositions of the highest order. As an artist Salmon was one of the most important to come out of England and immigrate to America in this period, influencing the art of Fitz Henry Lane and William Bradford as well as many others.
This striking view is of the important river port of South Shields and Tynemouth after a fierce gale has created havoc. With the low tide a very temporary thing, all efforts are being expended to salvage and restore order. People from every walk, led by Scottish military persons in uniforms, are put to the tasks of securing the safety of the people, cargoes and ships affected.
As with all of Salmon's best works this painting is full of people, often in small vignettes of activity, forming a great overall story. In the lower left several figures push bundles along a makeshift ramp, removing the foundered ship's precious cargo while others attempt to untangle the ropes which made up the ship's rigging. Overseeing them are two soldiers and a lone gentleman, holding his hat as the winds whip at his overcoat. Perhaps this the owner the ship or his agent, overseeing the salvage.
On deck and at the stern more crews work to free broken lines, sails, masts and spars. On top of the rocky outcropping that frames our view to the right, a soldier in Scottish Highland uniform seems to beckon to the men below and to his right, aiding in their recovery efforts. Meanwhile, just behind him, a man leans into the rocks, his hat pulled low over his eyes- while everyone else is hard at work, this one man has decided it's time for a nap. Behind all this is the city in the far distance, with all the details of buildings and other ships with other figures all working against the tide's return.
There has been a port at the Tyne River for more than 2,000 years. In a location on the northeast coast, the Romans used it to transport good to the forts of Hadrian's Wall and to sell British grains and goods to the Continent. A century and a half later, the city of Newcastle controlled the export of coal, making it the country's largest exporter. Beyond this, the primary industry through the ages has always been the world-class shipbuilding firms of the Tynebank.
Salmon's superb rendering of the deep cloud-filled sky with rays of illumination parting the storm offers hope and light for the rescuers. The cool depth of shadows make each location into a human theater, where Salmon has placed his emotional context to their dedicated efforts. Outsized by the ships and storm itself, the diminutive people are striving to be victorious in adapting to the power and whims of the natural world.
