An English Frigate Awaiting Wind, 1920, Paper

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Handcolored heliotype of an English ship after a work of Jean-Jérôme Baugean, created in circa 1920. This original print is … Read more Handcolored heliotype of an English ship after a work of Jean-Jérôme Baugean, created in circa 1920. This original print is described as a handcolored heliotype, a technique that was developed in the 19th century as a photo-mechanical process. It involves creating a lithographic plate from a photograph which can then be inked and used to print images onto paper. Heliogravure, or heliotype, was known for its ability to capture fine detail and subtle gradations of tone, making it a popular method for reproducing images before the advent of modern photographic printing techniques. The ship depicted is labeled as a "Frégate Anglaise en panne," which translates to "English frigate in distress" or "broken down." A frigate was a type of warship that was fast, nimble, and often employed for patrolling and escort duties. The phrase "en panne" suggests that the ship is not under sail or is somehow disabled, although the ship in the image does not appear to be in obvious distress. The sails are full, so it may refer to a momentary halt or maneuver rather than a breakdown. The term "panne" can also refer to a sailing condition where the wind is not sufficient to provide steerage, which might be the case here since the sails appear to be billowing, suggesting a light wind. It might be a depiction of the ship in a calm state, waiting for the wind to pick up. The ship is flying the British flag, which indicates its nationality. The craftsmanship of the ship, the rigging, sails, and the hull, are typical of the warships from the late 18th to early 19th century. Jean-Jérôme Baugean was a French artist known for his maritime scenes and ship studies. If this print is made after his work, it would likely have captured the detailed and accurate depictions of ships that Baugean was known for. His works are valuable for their historical accuracy and artistic quality. As for the time period, the print is said to be from around 1920, which would place it in the early 20th century, although Baugean passed away in 1819. This suggests that the print is a later reproduction of Baugean's original work, which was not uncommon as his work was highly regarded and sought after by enthusiasts of maritime history and art collectors. The size of the print, approximately 30x43 cm, is a medium format, which makes it suitable for display and suggests that it was produced for commercial sale or collection rather than a private commission. The title of the print, "Frégate Anglaise en panne," is written within the print itself, indicating that it was likely part of a series or collection of similar works. The double border line adds a formal touch and frames the image, which is a typical presentation for prints of this era. The paper has a water mark in the top right corner - not yet identified. See less