Thomas Whitcombe
(1763 – 1824)
Thomas Whitcombe was born in London in about 1752 and painted ship portraits, battle scenes, harbour views and ships in storms. Although his output was vast, little is known about him. He produced a large number of subjects from the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars of 1793 – 1815, His detailed depiction of ships implies that he had first-hand experience and in-depth knowledge of life at sea, although he probably spent most of his career in London.
This painting depicts a private Royal Navy frigate from between 1795 and 1801 arriving in Table Mountain Bay in the dawn light, exchanging salute with a departing flag officer possibly whoever was on the Cape station - a Vice Admiral of the White in a two-decker. It would almost certainly have been painted for the captain of the frigate. Whitcombe exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1783 and 1824.
Many of his works were engraved and they included 50 plates to James Jenkins's account of 'The Naval Achievements of Great Britain', published in 1817. His paintings appear in many collections including Tate Britain, The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich also holds many of his works.