Portrait of an explorer on the deck of a ship, signed by W. J. Russels and dated 1847.
The work depicts an explorer posing confidently on the deck of a ship, dressed in an elegant period costume: a dark frock coat, a buttoned white waistcoat, a shirt with a high, turned-down collar, and a black cravat. He holds a spyglass (telescope) in his hand, leaning against the ship’s wheel. The deck setting is rendered with great attention to detail, featuring ropes, a brass winch, and a large, open-work crate or chest positioned to the starboard side. In the background, the view opens onto a misty, mountainous coastal landscape—evoking grand voyages and distant exploration—beneath a bright sky.
This image of an explorer equipped with a spyglass calls to mind the great expeditions of the era; notably, 1847 was the year the renowned Austrian traveler Ida Pfeiffer embarked on her first major journey around the world—by both sea and land—traversing the Middle East, India, Persia, and Russia.
Includes a period-appropriate carved and gilded wooden frame.
Signed in the lower right: “W. J. Russels 1847.”
Dimensions including frame: 78 cm x 68 cm.
Dimensions without frame: 65 cm x 55 cm.
