A Ship in Rough Seas Near a Chalk Headland

Luny was one of the most prolific of all marine painters and enjoyed probably the longest career of all. He continued to produce large numbers of pictures even when, in old age, he was crippled by arthritis. He was a pupil of Francis Holman (died 1790) and his marine expertise came from his time serving in the Navy. This picture was produced in the year of his retirement. It belongs to the 18th century tradition in composition and mood as well as for the accurate depiction of the ships.