These two oils on copper by early British marine painter Francis Swaine are in outstanding condition for works that date from the 18th century. "Peaceful Waters" is an exceptional early example of a romantic harbor view and "Western Winds" shows a well-balanced composition of offshore shipping and dramatic marine atmosphere.
Swaine often worked in diminutive sizes such as these using tiny brushes to achieve the crisp detail seen in both his ships and their surroundings. The charming foreground vignette in "Peaceful Waters" adds substantially to the appeal of the composition as does the dramatic sky and stylized sea in "Western Winds".
With their diverse subject matter, this pair of paintings complements each other nicely and reflects Swaine's early talent for capturing realistic maritime imagery in the finest tradition of British marine painting.
