$5,875
Thomas Luny (British, 1759-1837) Shipping off the North African Coast Signed and dated "Luny 1811" l. l., identified on a presentation plaque, label from the Parker Gallery, London, on the reverse. Oil on panel, 8 3/4 x 12 in. (22.1 x 30.4 cm), framed. Condition: Retouch, craquelure. N.B. Thomas Luny was born in London in 1759. At the time of his first exhibition at the Society of Artists in 1777, he was living with and studying under Francis Holman. His work bears the influence of his teacher. By the time Luny moved out of his instructor's house, he had stopped exhibiting at the Society of Artists, concentrating instead on submissions to the Royal Academy. Over the next decade, he exhibited over twenty works there, all of them marine paintings. These exhibits cease, however, in 1793, and records show that he joined the Royal Navy as a purser and served during the French Revolutionary Wars. Luny was obligated to retire from the Navy in 1810 due to rheumatoid arthritis. He settled in Teignmouth, where he would remain for the rest of his life. His handicap required that he be confined to a wheelchair, and he could no longer use his hands to paint; the brush had to be either held between both hands or tied to his wrist.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2005-11-18
