Thomas Whitcombe (British, c.1732-1824)
The Mercury of London, a merchantman and other shipping offshore; Two frigates in the Channel off Dover, a pair
oil on canvas
each 53.3 x 76.5cm (21 x 30 1/8in). (2)
Footnotes:
Provenance
With David Messum, London, no. V804.

- The Mercury of London, a merchantman and other shipping offshore
The canvas has been lined. The paint surface appears thin through much of the sky. There is some craquelure visible throughout. There are several areas of visible retouchings. There is a dirty varnish layer and some spots of surface dirt.

UV light reveals extensive retouching through the sky with other areas of retouching throughout.


- Two frigates in the Channel off Dover:
The canvas has been lined. The paint surface appears thin in areas. There are some chips along the top framing edge. There are faintly visible stretcher marks. There is craquelure throughout. The paint is lifting in a few places in the centre of the composition. There are several areas of visible retouchings. There is a dirty varnish layer and some spots of surface dirt.

UV light reveals restoration to a possible old tear in the centre of the canvas, with further retouchings throughout with some of which is visible to the naked eye as previously mentioned.