Maritime & Marine Sculptures

Marine or maritime art refers to any form of figurative art that draws inspiration from the sea. Often, maritime sculpture encompasses the lure of foreign places, the desire to travel the world, and the dangers of the open sea.

Marine art did not become a distinct genre until the Middle ages, and was particularly popular during the 17th-19th centuries. As the role that the sea played in our everyday lives transitioned from a place of labor to one of leisure, so too did maritime art.

Today, maritime sculptures are quite popular at auction. In April of 2013, Bonhams London sold a 19th century Prisoner of War bone model of a 50-gun ship for $45,266.

Quick Facts

• Rock carvings depicting ships have been found in Greece and on several islands of the Aegean Sea. They date as far back as 4,000 B.C.
• In the 17th century, the Dutch Republic relied on fishing and trade by sea for its wealth, making maritime art a very popular genre at the time
• During the 18th century, maritime art in England and France focused on the many military actions taking place on the sea at the time