Accession Number

2016.015.001b

Description

A watercolour of a sinking ship in stormy water. A tattered red flag is flying from the mast. A castle is pictured in the background.

Narrative

This important Dunsmuir painting by the popular marine artist Thomas Bush Hardy (British, 1842-1897), was sold at auction from Craigdarroch’s drawing room by Mrs. Joan Dunsmuir’s executors on June 22, 1909. The H.W. Davies M.A.A. auction catalogue for the sale describes it as lot "#277 Another (Lost), by L.B. Hardy, the well-known English artist, valued at $300". Handwritten notations made in the margin of one copy of the catalogue indicates that the picture sold for $130.00. 

The purchaser was probably Joan Dunsmuir's daughter Mary Jean Dunsmuir, or possibly Mary's husband, Henry Croft. This assumption is made because the next documented location of the painting is at Mt. Adelaide, the Croft's residence in Esquimalt, B.C. 

The painting's frame, which was originally finished in gold and silver leaf, was painted over in the 1930’s or 1940’s.The frame was restored in 2017.

The masonry building depicted in the backgound is probably Bamburgh Castle, near the town of Bamburgh in Nothumberland, England. The Castle Society's collection includes another Hardy watercolour depicting Bamburgh Castle (see: 999.025b). 

History of Use

This  painting was sold at auction from Craigdarroch’s drawing room by Mrs. Joan Dunsmuir’s executors on June 22, 1909 (lot#277). It then went to Mt. Adelaide, the West Bay (Esquimalt) residence of Joan Dunsmuir’s daughter, Mary Jean Dunsmuir (Mrs. Henry Croft, 1862-1928). After Mrs. Croft’s death, her furnished house, including this painting, became the property of  Sam Matson, owner of The Daily Colonist newspaper. It was acquired by The Castle Society from one of his descendants. 

Date

1891

Dimensions

44.5 x 68.5 cm

Artwork Title

"Lost"

Subject/Image

A ship with broken masts sinking in a coastal sea storm.

Medium

Watercolour

Support

Paper

Technique

Painted

Inscription

signed TB Hardy 1891 and titled Lost by the artist

Country of Origin

United Kingdom