These paintings have always baffled me.

[Critical Recovery]

I was checking an item in an auction and I discovered this oil.

I have probably seen about 15 of these in the past few years, all from about the 1840s to 1900 or so, all with the same mistake.

I have always been curious. Did they do it on PURPOSE?
How could you paint so much detail in a ship painting and NOT know what you were doing?

 

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[0121stockpicker]

I'm curious now, what's the mistake? Something with the flags or sails?

 

[B1u3Dr4g0n1]

Looks to me the wind is blowing 2 different ways....right or wrong

Or leading flag is US and other is just red...lol

 

[0121stockpicker]

I was checking an item in an auction and I discovered this oil.

I have probably seen about 15 of these in the past few years, all from about the 1840s to 1900 or so, all with the same mistake.

I have always been curious. Did they do it on PURPOSE?
How could you paint so much detail in a ship painting and NOT know what you were doing?<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=755814"/>

The flags should be blowing forward as the wind is coming from behind - thats my guess.

 

[Rawhide]

Modern sailing ships today still employ a backup engine in case the wind fails. Im no expert, but remember a family friend from that era and he sailed on some of the old wooden sailing ships. This one appears metal, with a coal fired furnace.

 

[Red James Cash]

I believe the ship wouldnt be running with both steam and sails at the same time.

 

[0121stockpicker]

I believe the ship wouldnt be running with both steam and sails at the same time.

That's a good guess. Better than mine.

 

[0121stockpicker]

Nice one CR. ill look for the answer when I get up.

 

[yelnif]

There are rigging lines running from one vessel to the other- a lot of them. On the open sea this was a way of transfering cargo/supplies from one ship to another-may not be a mistake. yelnif...

 

[B1u3Dr4g0n1]

There are rigging lines running from one vessel to the other- a lot of them. On the open sea this was a way of transfering cargo/supplies from one ship to another-may not be a mistake. yelnif...

Do you really see 2 different ships....

 

[yelnif]

Do you really see 2 different ships....

definetly two ships- the sails on the ship to the left are on a square sail schooner on the starboard side of the other which is a steam turbine with sail assist. IMHO. I wish I could get the posted pic. to magnify to full screen or be able to mouse over it and make it bigger. Hard to say but thats my guess. yelnif...

 

[cokat7]

I don't see the problem. If these paintings are that old, there might be something to be learned.

 

[Gold Maven]

Oil on Board, Marine Scene, Antonio Jacobsen (American, 1850-1921), N2GNI

Here's the print with great detail, note the selling price.

 

[davest]

it's the square sails in the front of the ship, they don't turn. Ships like that use a rudder

 

[0121stockpicker]

Come on already - lets get the answer!!

 

[releventchair]

Engine location ,if that's what stack is for would require a long drive shaft compared to one nearer the stern. Were ship a whaler, oil extraction process could be more centered utilizing a furnace.

 

[Critical Recovery]

Come on already - lets get the answer!!

The sails are filled with wind from the back.
The flags and the smoke are blowing toward the rear. In the opposite direction.
The wind would have to be blowing in two directions.

 

[Red James Cash]

The ship could be tacking or coming about.

 

[Critical Recovery]

The ship could be tacking or coming about.

Yeah. Probably could.
But that would be one HELL of a tack and those sails would be damn near straight front to back. from the flags and the smoke, that wind is from dead ahead.

I'm pretty sure they just painted them that way to "show it off" and make it look better, but it just has jumped out at me on quite a few paintings from that time period.

 

[Peyton Manning]

could be in a hurricane with swirling winds