U. S. Ship-of-The-Line 1916

Editor: This is Antonio Jacobsen’s "U. S. Ship-of-The-Line" painted in 1916, using oil on canvas. I am immediately struck by the vastness of the sea and sky. The ship, though impressively large, seems quite solitary within this immense space. What draws your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: What a beauty she is! Jacobsen really knew his ships; his dedication to detail, to get every sail and line exactly right… it’s a labor of love. I imagine him out on the docks, sketching furiously. Beyond the vessel herself, notice how the light catches the waves, the somberness of the clouds that sort of amplify the ship’s journey. It is more than representation; it’s the feeling of open ocean, you know? Doesn't it make you want to set sail? Editor: It does have a certain romantic appeal, I must say. I am also curious about why Jacobsen made the work so late in his career, after the age of steam had really taken hold of naval power. Is he making some sort of comment on the passing of time? Curator: I think so! There’s a touch of wistful remembrance in the brushstrokes. Jacobsen wasn't just painting ships; he was painting memories of a grand, vanishing era. A love song of sorts to these majestic wind powered works of art! Perhaps it’s about more than just ships, you know? Maybe it is about our own mortality as humans. Editor: That is something that I did not notice on my first viewing! Thank you for sharing! Curator: The pleasure's all mine! Isn’t it amazing what secrets these old canvases can whisper, if you lend an ear...or an eye, perhaps.