Emil Hannover, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of C. W. Eckersberg no. 464.

Eckersberg writes in his diary 17 September 1832: “Arbeitet med Søestykket med Fregatten” (Worked on the seascape with the frigate).

Provenance: An old label on the reverse gives the following information (in Danish): Bought at auction after Hertzog (?) owner Th. Ste(mann?).

Manufactorer V. Ratzeburg. Bruun Rasmussen auction 128, 1961 no. 1, reproduced p. 11.

The first years after having returned from the long trip abroad to Paris and Rome Eckersberg primarily painted portraits; but in the 1820s he began to take an interest in marine paintings, and over the years he became Denmark's marine painter par excellence. The motives were not difficult to find in a country surrounded by the sea. The sea and the sailing ships fascinated Eckersberg. It was very important for him to present his paintings in accordance with reality, so he carefully observed how the weather conditions influenced the sail phrase of the ships and made sure the clouds were accurately placed in the sky. He meticulously studied the weather, and kept a diary of weather and wind conditions throughout life. He provided information about how a ship should be maneuvered under various wind conditions and studied the ship's technical details. From H. C. Ørsted he borrowed a book with drawings of the various machine parts of the ships. This painting is an excellent example of the national and international greatness of Eckersberg.