Not currently on display at the V&A

The 'Revenge' Leaving Plymouth to Meet the Armada

Painting
1912 (painted)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Marine painter, poster artist and illustrator Norman Wilkinson (1878-1971) painted three pictures for Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree's production of Drake at His Majesty's Theatre in 1912. This and another were reproduced in colour in a publicity leaflet. Louis N. Parker's play was a celebration of England's defeat of the Spanish Armada. Tree saw it as having a contemporary resonance and used his production to rouse patriotic spirit at a time when Britain was facing war with Germany. He revived it again in 1914 after war had been declared.

Wilkinson was born in Cambridge, went to school in Berkhamstead and St. Paul's Cathedral Choir School and became interested in marine painting during his early art training in Portsmouth, Cornwall, and Southsea School of Art. His interest in marine painting further developed from his study with seascape painter Louis Grier. During the first World War his service in the navy led to his innovatory development of 'dazzle painting' to camouflage ships at sea.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe 'Revenge' Leaving Plymouth to Meet the Armada (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Charcoal and oil on paper laid on panel
Brief description
Painting entitled 'The 'Revenge' Leaving Plymouth to Meet the Armada. Poster design for Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree's production of Drake, His Majesty's Theatre, 3rd September 1912. Norman Wilkinson (1878-1971).
Physical description
Three-masted ship of the Elizabethan era with the wind in her sails, sailing away from the viewer. She flies St George's flags. A similar ship is sailing further out. To left another ship with sailors waving from the rigging. Five small rowing boats in the foreground with men waving. Charcoal and oil on paper laid on thin three-ply panel
Dimensions
  • Height: 99cm
  • Width: 98.1cm
Credit line
Bequeathed by George Edward Ward
Summary
Marine painter, poster artist and illustrator Norman Wilkinson (1878-1971) painted three pictures for Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree's production of Drake at His Majesty's Theatre in 1912. This and another were reproduced in colour in a publicity leaflet. Louis N. Parker's play was a celebration of England's defeat of the Spanish Armada. Tree saw it as having a contemporary resonance and used his production to rouse patriotic spirit at a time when Britain was facing war with Germany. He revived it again in 1914 after war had been declared.

Wilkinson was born in Cambridge, went to school in Berkhamstead and St. Paul's Cathedral Choir School and became interested in marine painting during his early art training in Portsmouth, Cornwall, and Southsea School of Art. His interest in marine painting further developed from his study with seascape painter Louis Grier. During the first World War his service in the navy led to his innovatory development of 'dazzle painting' to camouflage ships at sea.
Associated objects
Bibliographic reference
Ashton, Geoffrey. Catalogue of Paintings at the Theatre Museum, London. ed. James Fowler, London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1992. 224p. ill. ISBN 1851771026
Collection
Accession number
S.22-1982

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Record createdNovember 6, 2003
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