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A Seaport

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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This warm, tranquil port scene is bathed in sunlight: the clock on the building to the left records the time as five o'clock. A coat of arms with three golden fleurs-de-lis (emblem of the French king) above the clock and on the ship’s flags to the right suggests this painting was intended for a French patron. In the foreground, many of the figures glance towards this ship: the group of well-dressed men to the left are in conversation while others work hard or watch those gathered at the port. This painted seaport is an imaginary scene, although the architecture is based on sixteenth-century buildings in Rome. The most distant building combines features taken from the Villa Farnesina and Palazzo Senatorio. The ornate entrance to the building in the foreground is inspired by the gateway to the Farnese gardens.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

A Seaport

Date

1644

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 103 x W 131 cm

Accession number

NG5

Acquisition method

Bought, 1824

Work type

Painting

Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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