Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba

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Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba: Claude Lorrain

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Art Type: Oil Painting
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Claude Lorrain Oil Painting - Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba

Keywords: Seaport, Embarkation, Queen, Sheba

Work Overview: Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba
Artist Claude Lorrain
Year 1648
Medium Oil on canvas
Dimensions 149.1 cm × 196.7 cm (58.7 in × 77.4 in)
Location National Gallery, London

Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba is an oil painting by Claude Lorrain (born Claude Gellée, traditionally known as Claude), in the National Gallery, London, signed and dated 1648. The large oil on canvas painting was commissioned by Frédéric Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne, Duc de Bouillon, general of the Papal army, together with Claude's Landscape with the Marriage of Isaac and Rebecca. It depicts the departure of the Queen of Sheba to visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem, described in the tenth chapter of the First Book of Kings. A more usual subject would be their meeting; this is one of many harbour scenes painted by Claude. The Queen is departing from a city with classical buildings, with the early morning sun lighting the sea, as vessels are loaded.

The composition draws the eye to a group of people on the steps to the right, at the intersection of a line of perspective (the steps) and a strong vertical (the left column of the building's portico). The Queen wears a pink tunic, royal blue cloak, and golden crown, and is about to board a waiting launch to take her to her ship – perhaps the ship partially concealed by the pillars to the left, or the one further out to sea, over the picture's vanishing point.

The painting was one of the first works to be acquired by the National Gallery in 1824, being one of five works by Claude Lorrain bought from the collection of John Julius Angerstein. It has the catalogue number NG14. This and similar works by Claude inspired J. M. W. Turner to paint Dido Building Carthage and The Decline of the Carthaginian Empire, which Turner left to the nation as part of the Turner Bequest on the condition that they were to be hung besides Claude's pair of works.

It is numbered 114 in Claude's Liber Veritatis.

The Bible relates how the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon in Jerusalem (1 Kings 10). Their meeting was often painted, but it was unusual to depict the Queen's embarkation. Many of Claude's paintings are concerned with the theme of journeying; here he creates an imaginary seaport.

The Duc de Bouillon, general of the Papal army, commissioned Claude to paint both this painting and 'Landscape with the Marriage of Isaac and Rebecca'.

The pair complement each other depicting joyful occasions in the Old Testament. 'The Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba' is a port scene and 'Landscape with the Marriage of Isaac and Rebecca' takes place inland.

'The Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba' has a rigorous linear perspective and there is a pronounced symmetry between the left and right hand sides. The canvas is roughly divided into fifths. The architecture and horizon are placed in a balanced way within this grid.

The painting was purchased from the Angerstein collection.

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