How you can use this image
This image is available to be shared and re-used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial licence (CC BY-NC).
This image can be reproduced in any way apart from any commercial uses.
Wherever you reproduce the image or an altered version of it, you must attribute the original creators (acknowledge the original artist(s), the person/organisation that took the photograph of the work) and any other stated rights holders.
Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find more images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.
DownloadNotes
Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.
According to a contemporary newspaper report ('Hampshire Advertiser', 20th September 1879), this is one of a set of four marine paintings presented by Mr Vivian Webber, a local benefactor, for the Newport Town Council Chamber. The intended subject, as described by the artist at the presentation ceremony, is the arrival off 'Cowes Harbour' (the River Medina) of the Charter granted to Newport by Charles II in 1683 [sic]. The ‘King Charles’ man-of-war has arrived in a calm and a barge is leaving her side, carrying the Charter into the Medina. To the right, in the foreground, is West Cowes Castle. Unfortunately, Fowles mistook the year of the Charter (from its 'Anno 13, Car. II' heading) as Charles II dated his reign from the death of his father in 1649, not his Restoration in 1660.
The Union flags shown are post-1801 (including the St Patrick saltire). The red one at the flagship's mainmast is probably a Royal Arms on a red field (though that is not a standard pattern) but the others indecipherable and probably invented save for that at the bow of the principal barge. That shows a medieval ship, intended as that of Newport and copied from its medieval seal.
In sum, the painting is a well-intentioned historical pastiche, in which the basic misunderstanding is that of the date of the charter.
Isle of Wight Council Heritage Service
Title
Charles II's Charter for Newport, Isle of Wight, Being Taken Ashore off West Cowes Castle
Date
1879
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 142 x W 233 cm (E)
Accession number
1995.LG146
Acquisition method
gift, 1995
Work type
Painting
Inscription description
A. W. Fowles 1879
Art Detective discussions
Through Art Detective, you can help us to discover more about this artwork. Public collections around the country have many more artworks in need of research. Find out how you can get involved.
Isle of Wight Council Heritage Service
The Guildhall, High Street, Isle of Wight PO30 1TY England
-
Solent Ferries off Ryde Pier Portsmouth Museums and Visitor Services -
The Shah of Persia Reviewing the Fleet Isle of Wight Council Heritage Service -
'The Cambria', Winner of the Town Cup RVYC Regatta, 1868 Isle of Wight Council Heritage Service -
Royal Yacht 'Alberta' Approaching a Man of War, Solent Isle of Wight Council Heritage Service -
Burning of the Troopship 'Eastern Monarch' at Spithead, June 1859 National Maritime Museum -
Queen Victoria's Visit to Cherbourg, 12 August 1858 National Maritime Museum -
A River Scene with a House and a Jetty National Maritime Museum - 12 more