A Celebration of Marine Art

This is a lovely book, indeed a celebration of Marine Art, celebrating sixty years of the Royal Society of Marine Artists (founded 1945 as the SMA). Not surprisingly, it is profusely illustrated with some 150 reproductions of works by members of the RSMA, over one hundred of them full page plates. Four essays describe the work of marine artists in different fields - sail, war, coast and steamships. There is a history of the RSMA and a directory of all its members. But, oh for an index!

It's a pity that most artists seem not to date their works and I wish the editor had taken the trouble to name ships depicted in the works (some are, many ships not). Small mistakes in the text are always annoying and there is one not-so-small mistake in a show more painting - the latter (p.139) is the brow from the jetty to the upper deck of the Type 14 frigate, HMS Malcolm, escort to HM Royal Yacht, has the name of the ship on the 'gangway dodger' but it is spelled incorrectly as 'HMS Malcom"; it's a pity that the artist did not notice and cover up the mistake with a person on the jetty!

In the text, corrections include: the shipping line Shaw Saville should read Shaw Savill (entry for F M R Flint, p.161). show less

This is primarily a showcase for the work of the Royal Society of Marine Artists. The text, of which there is comparatively little talks little about the work other than the circumstances. There is also a chapter specifically about the Society, and a directory of members which provides a few very brief notes for each artist.

However the real attraction of the book is the paintings, there are 164 full colour plates of paintings by RSMA members, mostly full-page, including oils and watercolours. These are far from academic studies but range in style from the traditional to the impressionistic, and include some cubist influenced and even what could be described as a fauvist painting. They are not confined to ships either, but include show more coastland views and beach scenes. Included are works by Montague Dawson, Geoffrey Hunt, Frank Wootton and Rowland Hilder. At any price it is a most interesting and worthwhile publication, at the price Amazon (UK) offers it at the time of writing it is an absolute bargain. show less