Two Brothers

British (English) School. Oil painting on canvas, Two Brothers, British (English) School, possibly Joseph Heard (Whitehaven 1799- Liverpool 1859), circa 1849. A depiction of a three-masted schooner in a breeze at sea, the merchantmen, as has been traditionally called, 'The Brothers' off the coast. The principal vessel is a barque and not a ship, and her name is more likely 'Two Brothers', a far more common name for vessels of the time. The pilot sloop under the bowsprit is named 'Victoria'; and she was in service between 1843 and 1856 which helps date the picture. The barque is passing the Perch Rock Fort and Lighthouse at the entrance to the River Mersey. (The National Trust is grateful to Chris Omell of Omell Gallery for this information). Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire