Victorian Marine Painting Shipwreck Beneath Dunstanburgh Castle, 1876

Claude Thomas Stanfield Moore (British, 1853–1901)

Subject & Medium 🖌️

Claude Thomas Stanfield Moore’s Shipwreck Beneath Dunstanburgh Castle (1876) is a striking Victorian marine drama in oil on board. The work depicts a three-masted vessel wrecked upon the Northumberland coast, breaking apart beneath the looming ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. Torn sails hang from a collapsed mast as the ship splinters on jagged rocks. In the foreground, sailors struggle for survival in small lifeboats, tossed by towering waves while gulls circle overhead. Rising in silhouette, the medieval fortress casts its shadow over the tragedy, a timeless reminder of endurance against nature’s fury.

Composition & Technique 🌊

Moore masterfully combines Romantic narrative with nautical precision:

• Foreground: jagged rocks, foaming breakers, and the broken hull establish immediacy and tension.

• Middle ground: sailors in fragile craft provide the painting’s emotional focal point.

• Background: Dunstanburgh Castle looms starkly, framed by storm clouds pierced with shafts of golden light — hope against despair.

Brushwork: sweeping, expressive strokes for waves and skies contrast with finely rendered rigging and stonework.
Palette: deep greens, steel blues, and storm greys dominate, offset by warm ochres and radiant sunlight breaking through clouds.

Moore’s atmospheric handling recalls Turner, while his fidelity to nautical detail reflects Clarkson Stanfield. The painting exemplifies the Victorian Romantic tradition: not merely a shipwreck scene, but an allegory of fragility, endurance, and history.

Signature ✍️

Lower right: C.T. Moore 1876

About the Artist 👤

Claude Thomas Stanfield Moore (1853–1901) was a leading British maritime painter.

• Exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy and the British Institution.

• Influenced by Turner’s light and atmosphere, and Stanfield’s nautical precision.

• Specialized in shipwrecks, storms, and dramatic coastlines.

• His career was tragically cut short at 48, yet his works remain highly sought after, with auction prices reaching up to $40,383 USD.

Frame 🖼️

Housed in a Larson Juhl gold-leaf Venice moulding with dome profile, fitted with AR70 museum glass. This premium presentation enhances its impact while ensuring archival protection.

Dimensions: 44 cm wide × 27 cm high × 3 cm deep

Dunstanburgh Castle – History & Symbolism 🏰

Commissioned in 1313 by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, Dunstanburgh Castle stood as both fortress and political statement. Passing through royal and Percy hands, it played a role in the Wars of the Roses before falling into ruin by the sixteenth century.

Rediscovered in the Romantic era, its silhouette inspired Turner and Girtin. Today preserved by English Heritage, the ruin remains one of Northumberland’s most iconic landmarks.

In Moore’s painting, the contrast is clear: the wreck below speaks of fleeting human fragility, while the castle above embodies history’s permanence.

Provenance 📜

• Signed, dated, and titled 1876.

• Likely acquired by a British private collector in the late 19th century. Notable Northern shire auction.

• Exhibited at Famous Lord Hill Museum; curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.
  

Market & Value 💰

With its signed date, dramatic shipwreck subject, and iconic setting, this work sits at the upper range of Moore’s market with potential to exceed expectations among collectors of Victorian maritime art and Northumberland scenes.

Why Collect This Piece ❤️

✅ Quintessential Victorian shipwreck drama with Turner-like atmosphere
✅ Rare signed and dated 1876 example by Moore
✅ Iconic subject: wreck beneath Dunstanburgh Castle
✅ Romantic palette of greens, silvers, ochres, and golds
✅ Presented in museum-quality Larson Juhl frame with AR70 glass
✅ Superb condition, ready for display

Condition 🔍

Good preservation of depth and colour, with foxing & craquelure consistent with age. Frame and glass pristine.

Shipping

Worldwide Shipping Available — Professionally packaged and fully insured for secure international delivery.

Available exclusively through Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD — Inquire now to secure this unique piece