🛳️ Historic Steamship Painting – SS Great Britain by Salvatore Colacicco

🛳️ Historic Steamship Painting – SS Great Britain by Salvatore Colacicco | Nautical Seascape in Frame

🖼️ Subject & Medium

Add a powerful piece of maritime history to your collection with this original oil painting on wood panel by renowned marine artist Salvatore Colacicco. Depicting the legendary SS Great Britain, this dramatic seascape shows the ship in full side profile, cutting through rough Atlantic waters with sails hoisted and smoke billowing from her funnel.
Circa 1970s.

🎨 Composition & Technique

Colacicco masterfully combines historic accuracy with emotional atmosphere in this energetic seascape. The colour palette and brushwork bring the painting to life with movement and mood:

• Atlantic swells are painted in deep navy, cobalt blue, and storm grey — conveying depth and turbulence.

• Wave crests crash against the hull with bold, textured brushstrokes, creating a realistic sense of spray and motion.

• The moody sky is layered in cool greys and slate blues with hints of ochre, evoking a brooding ocean atmosphere.

• The hull and rigging are rendered in metallic tones, enhanced by vivid accents like the red Union Jack and fluttering ensigns.

• Intricate details on the masts, deck figures, and lifeboats contrast beautifully with the expressive, sweeping strokes of sea and sky.

🎨 Colacicco’s technique balances realism and romanticism — capturing not only the grandeur of the ship, but also the raw power of the sea.

🧭 About the Ship – SS Great Britain

Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the SS Great Britain was a groundbreaking transatlantic steamship launched in 1843 for the Great Western Steamship Company.

🔹 Historical Highlights:

• The first iron-hulled steamship to cross the Atlantic.

• Combined iron structure, screw propeller, and steam power — a world first.

• Largest ship afloat at launch; completed her maiden voyage to New York in just 14 days.

• Transported thousands of emigrants to Australia (1852–1881).

• Later served in the Falkland Islands as a warehouse and quarantine ship.

• Rescued in 1970 and returned to Bristol, where she is now a museum ship in the UK’s National Historic Fleet, drawing over 150,000 visitors annually.

✍️ Signature

• Signed lower left by Salvatore Colacicco.

• Includes original artist labels verso with title and provenance information.

🧑🎨 About the Artist – Salvatore Colacicco

Salvatore Colacicco (b. 1935, Bellagio, Italy) studied at the Brera Academy in Milan and has lived in England for over 30 years. He is globally recognized for his elegant and detailed marine scenes.

• His works were sold throughout the USA by Tonkins of Nantucket Island.

• Commissioned by the Russell-Cotes Museum for 26 panels depicting the evolution of the paddle steamer.

• His paintings grace boardrooms, private collections, and international auction houses.

• Achieved up to $5,098 USD at Christie’s for a maritime scene.

🪵 Frame

• Set in the original ornate gilt frame, which perfectly complements the historical subject.

• Comes with new metal hanging brackets — ready for display upon arrival.

📏 Dimensions (Framed)

• Height: 64.5 cm

• Width: 90 cm

• Depth: 5.5 cm

🧾 Provenance

• Original artist’s labels verso included.

• Offered by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD, specialists in fine art selected for quality, significance, and subject matter.

💖 Why You’ll Love It

✅ Rare and highly detailed marine painting of the SS Great Britain
✅ Signed by internationally acclaimed artist Salvatore Colacicco
✅ An eye-catching conversation piece for any home, office, or gallery
✅ Set in an elegant original gilt frame — no extra framing needed
✅ Ideal for collectors, decorators, and maritime history enthusiasts
✅ A stunning combination of artistry, history, and value

✅ Condition Report

• Painting: Very good condition overall. Some minor foxing, surface scuffs, and grazes in places.

• Frame: General wear consistent with age, including scuffs, scratches, cracks, and minor chip losses. Some past repairs noted.

🌍 Worldwide Shipping Available
Professionally packaged and fully insured for safe international delivery.

🖼️ Available exclusively through Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

📩 Inquire now to secure this unique piece