The Captain's Wife
by AnnaJo Vahle
Original - Sold
Price
Not Specified
Dimensions
16.000 x 20.000 x 1.500 inches
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Title
The Captain's Wife
Artist
AnnaJo Vahle
Medium
Painting - Acrylic On Canvas
Description
I just painted this portrait of one of my dearest friends at the request of her husband. They love to spend time sailing together. This painting is based on a photograph that he took of her as she watched some dolphins swimming near the prow.
The woman on the front of a sailing ship is called a figurehead. On old sailing ships, the figurehead was usually a carved wooden human likeness. Figureheads were often female forms. Clothing was optional. Other figureheads were based on mythological figures or birds. Some of the early beliefs regarding figureheads on ships were shared with other types of carved figureheads. A number of different figureheads throughout history have been used symbolically as the eyes of the ship. Since some sailors believed that if the ship had literal eyes, it would find its way on the waters better. The idea of placing a carving of a living thing at the ship's front also tied in to the belief that the ship was a spiritually a living thing. The figurehead was a representation of the spirit of a ship.
A female figurehead served a very practical purpose in the sense that it allowed sailors and those on land or on other vessels to identify a specific ship as it approached. Often the female depicted on the front of the ship was a representation of the ship's allegiance or origins. For example, a carving a queen identified the vessel as loyal to the country of that particular ruler. Besides identification, the likeness of a particular woman might simply have symbolized respect for that person or perhaps carried her memory to sea, for example, she was the captain's wife or daughter for instance.
Women often were not permitted to travel on board a ship in the days of figureheads. But the vessel itself was still referred to as a she. Thus by placing a female image at the head of the ship, the woman represented the ship itself. It became symbolic of the one woman allowed on the vessel.
Uploaded
October 8th, 2013
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Viewed 1,461 Times - Last Visitor from Cupertino, CA on 03/27/2024 at 2:51 PM
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Comments (39)
Studio Tolere
Wonderful composition and storytelling AnnaJo in every aspect of a painting- great nude pose, soft to strong color contrasts, sense of movement, macro body against sea expanse, a touch of whimsy...this has it all!
Vincent Consiglio
There must have been very hot and she was sweating with bikini...Lovely painting AnnaJo!
Michael John Bobak
Congratulations AnnaJo, your painting has been featured in the group, "Appreciating the Human Form-Nudes"
Anne Gifford
What a beautiful, unique portrait, AnnaJo. The intense blue of the water against the almost orangey skin tone really sets this painting off. Like!
Martin Davey
Very bold image with powerful colours and an eye catching subject that complements the water brilliantly! L
Madalena Lobao-Tello
CONGRATULATIONS!! Featured on Iberoamerican Colors. Great artwork. Love the colours, textures and composition!!!!
Isaac Richter
As usual AnnaJo..Your work always stuns me...Such an amazing coice of color and a special perspective. The title is very special.. It must be a genuine one!!!
AnnaJo Vahle replied:
Thank you so much, Isaac. It is always a treat to hear from you. It is a genuine one, for sure.
Laurie Search
Ahhh, so beautiful and wonderful, AnnaJo!! I bet your friends just love it!!!! Really special!!! :)))fv
AnnaJo Vahle replied:
They seemed to be happy with it, I am delighted to report. Thank you for your support, Laurie.
Xueling Zou
Love it! Shared your work at Community >Discussion > Post U Figurative Painting Of Women - Happy International Women's Day @ http://fineartamerica.com/showmessages.php?messageid=1098574
AnnaJo Vahle replied:
Thank you very much, Xueling. It is wonderful to hear from you and for your kind encouragement.