ARTWORKS

William Denny (1847–1887)

Norman Macbeth (1821–1888)

National Maritime Museum

William Denny (1847–1887)

Image credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

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William was the eldest son of Peter Denny (1821–1895) (BHC2654) and was the family’s most innovative member. He pioneered steel shipbuilding which culminated in the construction of the ‘Rotomahana’ (1879), the first ocean-going steel ship. He persuaded his father to build the first commercial test tank in the world in order to enhance the quality and efficiency of the company’s ship’s hulls.

The portrait, which is signed and dated ‘Norman Macbeth 1888’, is posthumous as Willam Denny had committed suicide in Buenos Aires the previous year, after a series of breakdowns and ill health. Norman Macbeth was a Royal Scottish Academician (RSA) who specialised in presentation portraits for institutions. He had portrait practices in Greenock, Glasgow and, from 1861, Edinburgh.

National Maritime Museum

London

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Title

William Denny (1847–1887)

Date

1888

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 127 x W 101.6 cm

Accession number

BHC2655

Work type

Painting

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National Maritime Museum

Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England

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Artist or maker

Norman Macbeth

1821–1888

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