Neptune Resigning the Empire of the Sea to Britannia

Artist William Dyce (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1806 - 1864)

Date1846 - 1847

Mediumwatercolour and gouache on paper

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 41.6 cm, Width: 61 cm
Frame: Height: 64 cm, Width: 83.5 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1993 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions, the National Art Collections Fund, the Pilgrim Trust and the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG010741

Keywords

About MeThe fresco for which this study was painted is situated on the stairwell at Osborne House, Isle of Wight. Osborne House was built in an Italianate style and was considered the Royal marine residence. A fresco with a maritime subject, celebrating Britain's success at sea, was therefore a fitting subject.

The scene illustrates the imminent coronation of Britannia by Mercury, who bridges the gap between land and sea -Neptune and Britannia. Britannia stands triumphant, her majesty reinforced by the figures surrounding her, their attributes signifying British industry. The female figure holds a distaff, symbolic of the textile industry and the male figure to the extreme right of the composition stands next to an anvil, representing the manufacture of iron and steel. The figure with his back to the spectator carries Mercury's caduceus, a symbol of peace, eloquence and reason, again reference to Britannia's virtues.

More About Me

Collections Wall

Painted at the start of British imperialism, the scene illustrates the imminent coronation of Britannia by Mercury, who bridges the gap between land and sea. Can you spot the symbolic references to British industries?