HENRY MELLING
United Kingdom, 1808-1879
Passengers being rescued from the burning Ocean Monarch. Signed and dated lower left "Henry Melling 1848". Two old labels verso, the oldest one marked "From Richard Jeffreys Carver Gilder & ... 8 ct ...", and the more recent "William D. Jones Phone Royal 520[?] Carver Gilder Picture Frame Maker Etc. 100 Seel Street Liverpool Gilding done for the Trade ... only used mirro ... rd ... pap ... ".
Oil on canvas, 17" x 29.5". Framed 21.75" x 34.5".
Provenance:
Paul Mason Gallery, Sloane Street, London.
Purchased from the above by Richard Kelton on the advice of Sam Davidson, May 1998.
Eldred's, The Marine Sale, August 2020, Lot #253.

Notes:
Ocean Monarch, an American emigrant ship, was outward bound from Liverpool with more than 300 passengers on board when fire broke out in the stern and spread rapidly. This painting depicts the arrival of Thomas Littledale's cutter-yacht Queen of the Ocean, returning from the Beaumaris Regatta. In conjunction with the steam-frigate Alfonsa, more than 200 passengers were rescued.

Overall good condition. The painting is lined. Under UV examination there appears to be three generations of restoration. There is scattered minor retouching to the sky and stretcher edges, probably from the second generation restoration. There are two areas of retouching to the lower corners which is more recent and the oldest restoration is in the sails of the mail mast.