Object Description
A watercolour and gouache on board of HMS Marathon by Harry Price.
HMS Marathon was a Marathon-class cruiser designed with tropical service in mind. She was built at Fairfield, Govan and completed in 1889, serving until 1905 when she was sold to be broken.
The painting is signed by Price ‘H.W.P 1907 to the front. The back of the board has a label stating ‘H.M.S Marathon (RN 1907) Home Finish, H W Price 1907., 42. Ships Of The Royal Navy.’ Written in pencil directly to the board is ‘HMS Marathon, War Paint 1907.’ The number ’42’ is also written in watercolour to the top right corner.
It is interesting that the painting is dated 2 years after H.M.S. Marathon was broken up. Price may have been working from an earlier sketch or a photograph with the painting intended for publication. Harry Price joined the Royal Fleet Reserve in February 1907 after completing 12 years in the Navy. Ships of the Royal Navy, as noted to the back, was a book by Oscar Parkes but it wasn’t published until 1926 and was illustrated by the author. The picture may have been intended for a set of cigarette cards which were never issued but that was not uncommon.
Price has painted Marathon at sea and in good detail. Dated 1907.