Featured: Marine & Maritime Art in Our Summer Art Sale


June 2025

From dramatic shipwrecks to tranquil harbours, marine and maritime art has long held a firm place in the history of painting. In our upcoming Summer Art Sale, taking place on Friday 13 June, we’re proud to present a curated collection that reflects both the power of the sea and the people who’ve lived their lives alongside it.

This auction features celebrated names such as Michael J. Whitehand, Henry Barlow Carter, and members of the Staithes Group, with works that evoke the spirit of the sea - its peril, beauty and myth.

What’s the Difference Between Marine and Maritime Art?

The terms marine and maritime art are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences in their focus and history. Marine art, which dates back to antiquity, typically refers to seascapes and nautical scenes that include human activity, fishing vessels in rough waters, naval battles, and coastal villages filled with working life. It captures the human relationship with the sea, with a strong focus on movement, narrative and emotion.

Maritime art, meanwhile, evolved into a more specific genre in later centuries, and is largely associated with the portraiture of ships. These artworks are more formal in style, often created to commemorate specific vessels. There’s less emphasis on people and more on structure, rigging, design and craftsmanship, a visual record of maritime engineering, trade and exploration.

Our sale includes outstanding examples of both traditions, offering collectors and seafaring enthusiasts a chance to engage with a genre that is both historically rich and visually stirring.

Above left to right: Lot 142 Henry Barlow Carter (British 1804-1868): 'Wreck off Flamborough Head', Lot 160 Michael J Whitehand (British 1941-): Naval Battle, and  Lot 104 Ernest Dade (Staithes Group 1864-1935): 'Scotch Herring Fleet Leaving Scarborough'.

Artists in Focus: Whitehand, Carter and the Staithes Group

A British post-war and contemporary artist, Michael J. Whitehand is known for his meticulous and atmospheric marine scenes. His paintings often depict sleek racing yachts and historic sailing vessels caught in moments of grandeur and grace. One of the sale’s standout works is his depiction of The Wool Clipper ‘Red Jacket’ - a nod to one of the fastest and most iconic ships ever launched under the White Star Line. Whitehand’s oils capture not only the majesty of these vessels but the thrill of the open sea itself.

Born in 1804, Henry Barlow Carter brought a Romantic sensibility to the marine tradition. A Londoner by birth, he moved to Scarborough in the 1830s, where he found endless inspiration in the dramatic Yorkshire coastline. His watercolours - depicting Whitby Harbour, the wrecks at Flamborough Head, and moody coastal seas - are striking in their emotion and technical skill. His use of colour and light shows the clear influence of J.M.W. Turner, making his work particularly appealing to collectors of 19th-century British coastal painting.

One of the highlights of our sale is our continued focus on the Staithes Group, a collective of artists active in North Yorkshire during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their depictions of fishing communities, rugged seascapes and everyday life along the coast have become a treasured part of regional art history.

We are proud to be the only auction house in the world to have sold works by every known member of the Staithes Group and this sale is no exception. One to watch is Scarborough Fishing Cobble by Ernest Dade, a powerful piece that set an auction record when we last sold it in 2014 and returns now with renewed interest.

Above left to right: Lot 101 Ernest Dade (Staithes Group 1864-1935): 'Scarborough Fishing Cobble', Lot 158 Michael J Whitehand (British 1941-): The Wool Clipper 'Red Jacket' and Lot 145 Henry Barlow Carter (British 1803-1867): 'Fishing Boats Running into Staithes'

Why Marine and Maritime Art Still Captivates

The enduring appeal of marine and maritime art lies in its emotional depth and historical relevance. These are works that transport the viewer to the deck of a tall ship, a storm-lashed harbour, or a quiet cove at low tide.

For collectors, this genre represents more than aesthetic beauty. It’s about exploration, tradition, and our ever-evolving relationship with the sea. These works often have strong narrative value, making them ideal conversation pieces and powerful additions to both private and institutional collections.

In many cases, they also carry considerable value at auction, particularly when connected to named vessels, known coastlines, or recognisable artists. With rising interest in regional schools like the Staithes Group, and the timeless appeal of subjects like clipper ships, fishing boats and coastal life, the market for marine art remains buoyant.

Above left to right: Lot 143 Henry Barlow Carter (British 1803-1867): 'Whitehall and the Upper Harbour at Whitby', Lot 159 Michael J Whitehand (British 1941-): Racing Yachts off a Castle and Lot 103 Ernest Dade (Staithes Group 1868-1935): 'Yawls at Sea'.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector of maritime works, a coastal homeowner looking for a fitting piece, or simply someone drawn to the majesty of the sea, The Summer Art Sale is the perfect opportunity to discover something special.

📍 David Duggleby Auctioneers, Scarborough & Online
📅 Friday 13 June 2025 | Ends from 11AM
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