The Steam Packet

John Crome 1768 - 1821

Summary

A maritime scene showing two strips of land jutting out into a river basin, at right angles to one-another, with one extending from the left edge of the composition and the second from the right lower corner. Across the horizon is a line of low land, which descends slightly to the right where a cottage stands beside a mill. In the foreground, a group of boats are moored to the right bank of land, three of them with sails set; a steam boat crowded with figures either positions itself to move alongside the boats or casts off from a wherry (a kind of barge). Behind the left bank of land, the square sail of another wherry can be seen. Gilt, moulded plaster, eighteenth century frame.

Display Label

The Steam Packet about 1813-1817 John Crome 1768-1821 Oil on panel The subject was the first steam barge to operate between Norwich and Yarmouth. It was at the height of its popularity in 1817 when the vessel was disastrously destroyed by an explosion which killed ten passengers. As more artists looked to their native landscape they increasingly formed into exhibiting associations. Crome was the figurehead of the Norwich Society, which was founded by Norfolk artists in 1803. This painting is a typical celebration of local pride. Crome objected to copying skies from old masters: his clouds are an important and evocative element in the artist's personal response to his subject. Purchased 1905.5