Trimming the Sails

This superb depiction of the uncompromising harshness of life at sea during the age of sail is one of a small though distinctive number of deck scenes executed by Monatgue Dawson at various times in his creative life. This particular view of men trimming sail in worsening weather has many similarities with the artist's Decks Awash (see R. Ranson, The Maritime Paintings of Montague Dawson, Devon, 1993, p. 45) and since the two paintings share the same dimensions, it seems possible that they were commissioned as a pair. Whether that was the case or not however, these atmospheric deck scenes may be regarded as very rare and formed only a tiny though fascinating part of the artist's complete oeuvre.