Welcome to the 4th in the series of articles about the discovery of the 16th century ship painting in the heart of Tavistock. We take a detailed look at the painting and the detail in which its been researched.
You can see an exhibiition about the ship painting in the magnificent Tavistock Guildhall Heritage Centre - its FREE to enter!
The ship painting discovered at 4 Market Street, Tavistock is a fascinating work of art, rich in historical significance and detail. Measuring 2.28 meters in height by 4.53 meters in width, it covers a significant portion of the wall. The painting, applied to a white limewash background, features intricate details outlined in black, with elements filled in with red, yellow, and green pigments.
Despite only part of the painting surviving, key features are still visible. The warship's bow, multi-decked forecastle, a mast with what appears to be a crow's nest, part of the 'waist' – the open deck between the forecastle and mainmast – and part of the mainmast itself are all discernible. The forecastle is decorated with crosses of St. George, adding to its historical authenticity.
One of the most striking elements of the painting is the depiction of flags, known as streamers, fluttering in the breeze. The artist skilfully captured the sense of movement, and research revealed that the green and white colours overlaid with a red cross of St. George were symbols of the Tudor dynasty. These streamers were first used in Henry VIII’s navy, suggesting the painting could date back to that period.
Further research into what initially looked like arrows in the crow's nest revealed they were actually darts, known as ‘fire arrows.’ These were spears wrapped with a collar of gunpowder and oil that would burn and explode, used in close-quarter combat. The depiction of these incendiary darts, similar to those found on the Mary Rose, points to the possibility that the ship in the painting was a contemporary of this famous Tudor warship.
You can see below an example of one of these "fire arrows" recovered from the Mary Rose
The painting’s use of pigments also provides clues to its age. The presence of green verditer, an artificial pigment first used in the 15th century but more commonly in the late 16th century, suggests the painting dates from the latter half of the 16th century. This pigment, along with others like indigo, carbon black, yellow iron oxide, vermillion, red lead, yellow and red ochre, and the degraded organic varnish, speaks to the painting’s historical authenticity.
The ship painting is more than just a piece of art; it’s a window into the past. Its detailed depiction of a Tudor warship, complete with historical symbols and accurate naval features, offers a glimpse into the maritime history of the period. As we continue to explore this remarkable find, we uncover more about the ship it depicts and the historical context in which it was created.
Tavistock Heritage Trust are working with partners to restore and save the painting if you would like to make a small donation to support this valuable work please follow this link .
If you would like to find out more about the array of projects Tavistock Heritage Trust are currently involved in follow this link https://www.heritageintavistock.org/our-projects
The Ship Painting Project is a Tavistock Heritage Project in conjunction with Tavistock Town Council and supported by Devon County Council and TIDE and Interreg.
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