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Watercolour of the Brig 'Success' at Ancona Harbour
Watercolour of the Brig 'Success' at Ancona Harbour
Watercolour of the Brig 'Success' at Ancona Harbour
Watercolour of the Brig 'Success' at Ancona Harbour

Watercolour of the Brig 'Success' at Ancona Harbour

Shipbuilder (Footdee, Aberdeen)
Date1819
Object NameWatercolour
Mediumpencil, pen, ink and watercolour paper
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
Dimensions52cm wide by 37cm high (unframed)
59cm x 44cm framed
AcquisitionPurchased in 2009 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions and the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
LocationOn Display - Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Object numberABDAG013263
About MeThis beautiful painting shows an Aberdeen-built ship, the Success, arriving safely at Ancona, Italy. The small trading vessel made regular trips to Rio de Janeiro and Newfoundland from London and Liverpool, until she was wrecked in 1831. Alexander Shand was the ship's captain, but also one of her owners as part of a group of Aberdeen merchants.

This is a rare early portrait of an Aberdeen built and owned vessel. The museum was contacted by a collector who had discovered the painting at auction. Money was raised via the National Fund for Acquisitions and the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums to secure the painting for the collection.