A 19th-century British bark (barque) commands the choppy sea in this remarkable oil on canvas by John Steven Dews. The famed maritime artist is widely considered the greatest living master of marine painting, renowned for his breathtaking, highly detailed compositions of sailed ships at sea. In the present work, Dew's skill at photorealism and his ability to capture dynamic movement are fully evident. The captain of this merchant's vessel looks out into the open sea as his ship navigates the rough waters at full sail, with the British red ensign flowing behind. With an incredible energy, Dews perfectly captures the volume of the sails and the vitality of the white capped, churning waves as the vessel effortlessly glides through the water.

Born in Yorkshire in 1949, Dews learned his trade at the Hull Regional College of Art after being turned down as a candidate at numerous naval academies. He turned to art to express his love for the sea, eventually building a sizable enough portfolio to mount his first exhibition in 1976. An astounding success, nearly the entire collection was sold on opening night, and Dews received 17 new commissions. Ever since his blockbuster opening, Dews has enjoyed remarkable success and critical acclaim, earning numerous prestigious commissions and awards to this day as one of Britain’s most sought-after living artists.