. English: A Spanish Three-Decker at Anchor off Naples This painting adopts an unusual upright format and shows a Mediterranean harbour. The scene is perceived from a high viewpoint and bathed in milky golden sunshine. In the foreground a cobbled quay overlooks a bustling harbour. A grand lighthouse, in the background on the right, dominates the scene and a Spanish ship is seen, in starboard-bow view, at anchor. The vessel has an ornately carved stern and there is a figurehead of a prince on a leaping white horse on the bow. She flies the Spanish flag, a religious pennant from the mainmast, a
. English: A Spanish Three-Decker at Anchor off Naples This painting adopts an unusual upright format and shows a Mediterranean harbour. The scene is perceived from a high viewpoint and bathed in milky golden sunshine. In the foreground a cobbled quay overlooks a bustling harbour. A grand lighthouse, in the background on the right, dominates the scene and a Spanish ship is seen, in starboard-bow view, at anchor. The vessel has an ornately carved stern and there is a figurehead of a prince on a leaping white horse on the bow. She flies the Spanish flag, a religious pennant from the mainmast, a red flag from the stern, the Spanish Burgundian cross from the foremast and a small jack on the sprit topmast. There is considerable activity both on the ship and in the rigging. One figure is climbing the foremast. The artist has paid particular attention to lively details. Small craft are shown in the surrounding water. The barge rowing towards the left, in the foreground, has three sets of oars. As well as what appear to be hinged deck sections over a small cargo space in the stern. The deck sections are raised and three men, including the helmsman, are standing or sitting within the small cargo space. In the distance, to the right, a small ceremonial barge with a canopy in the stern is going past the anchored ship. Another ship at anchor, probably flying the Dutch flag, can be seen in the distance. The bay is full of activity and shipping. Figures are standing on the balconies and terraces of the lighthouse. While others line up on the quay beside it. Figures can, also, be seen standing with fishing rods on the rocks. At the landing steps below the quay, in the bottom right corner, men with oars are standing in a second barge. The mooring lines of the ship at anchor are clearly visible on the steps. In contrast with this busy scene are the three larger figures, in the foreground, which cast long shadows on the cobblestones. Two are shown wearing swords and in European dres
Size: 1782px × 2806px
Photo credit: © The Picture Art Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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