RE Maritime Scenes

Réunion Island

The Latin motto of Saint-Pierre is a reminder of the potential dangers of fishing in the Indian Ocean at the south of Réunion Island: "Fortis fortuna fortior" can be translated as "Fortune comes from bravery," or as "Bravery is stronger than fortune." But today the classic wooden fishing boats (albeit equipped with outboard motors) are being progressively replaced by their industrially-produced plastic or aluminium counterparts. The watercolours that follow therefore attempt to portray the hard-working local fishermen and their traditional craft, before they disappear completely.

Watercolour of two fishermen pushing a small boat out of the surf of the ocean, "Rentrée au port," by William Walkington
Rentrée au port
Watercolour, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.

Watercolour of several men pushing a small red boat up a rocky ramp, out of the ocean, "Ho Hisse," by William Walkington
"Ho hisse"
Watercolour, 23.5 x 33.5 cms, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.

Watercolour of several men pulling a small boat up a beach, out of the ocean, "Pêcheurs Cap la Houssaye," by William Walkington
Pêcheurs Cap la Houssaye
Watercolour, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.
Please note that this is a scan of a blurred photo of the framed original, and that some detail has been lost!

Blurred photograph of a watercolour of three fishermen and a small boat, "Barque et pêcheurs sur plage," by William Walkington
Barque et pêcheurs sur plage
Watercolour, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.
Please note that this is a scan of a blurred photo of the framed original, and that much detail has been lost!

Watercolour of Réunion Island fishermen pulling a net up a beach from a small boat at sea, painted by William Walkington
Pêche au filet
Watercolour, 23.3 x 33 cms, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.
The photograph is taken through the glazing of the picture frame and there is some reflection.

Watercolour of a rocky shore in the sun with a man fishing and two children watching, "Pêche à la ligne," by William Walkington
Pêche à la ligne
Plein air watercolour, 24 x 34 cms, signed Walkington and undated. Available.

Watercolour of a fisherman attending to his boat and outboard motor on a sunny beach, "Prêt à partir," by William Walkington
Prêt à partir
Watercolour, 38.5 x 28.5 cms, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.

Watercolour of two fishermen attending to their small boat at the edge of the ocean, "Barque," by William Walkington
Barque
Watercolour, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.

Watercolour of two fishermen on a small boat with oars deployed, "Barque de pêcheurs 1," by William Walkington
Barque de pêcheurs 1
Watercolour, 9 x 13 cms, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.

Watercolour of two fishermen on a small boat with oars deployed, "Barque de pêcheurs 2," by William Walkington
Barque de pêcheurs 2
Watercolour, 9 x 13 cms, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.

Watercolour of a small boat with two fishermen coming back to land, "Retour de pêche," by William Walkington
Retour de pêche
Watercolour, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.

Watercolour of two small boats on a ramp close to rocks and the ocean, "Barques à l'Anse des Cascades," by William Walkington.
Barques à l'Anse des Cascades
Plein air watercolour (dry scratched), 24.25 x 34 cms, signed Walkington and dated 95. Available.

Watercolour of several small traditional fishing boats moored in a port, "Le Port de Saint-Gilles," by William Walkington
Le Port de Saint-Gilles
Watercolour, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.

Watercolour of three small wooden boats moored in calm water, "Trois barques à Saint-Gilles," by William Walkington.
Trois barques à Saint-Gilles
Plein air watercolour, 24.25 x 34.25 cms, signed Walkington and dated 95. Available.

Watercolour of two small colourful boats, moored at Saint-Gilles of Réunion Island, and painted by William Walkington in 1996
Deux barques colorées au Port de Saint-Gilles
Plein air watercolour, 23.5 x 33.5 cms, signed Walkington and dated 96. Private Collection.

Watercolour of two small traditional fishing boats moored in the port of St.-Gilles, "Deux barques," by William Walkington
Deux barques
Watercolour, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.
Please note that this is a scan of a blurred photo of the framed original, and that much detail has been lost!

Watercolour of a small boat at the curved end of a dock, "Trouvé au bassin de radoub de Saint-Pierre," by William Walkington.
Trouvé au bassin de radoub de Saint-Pierre
Plein air watercolour, 24.25 x 34 cms, signed Walkington and undated. Available.

Watercolour of small boats in a harbour in bad weather, "Ciel gris au front de mer à Saint-Pierre," by William Walkington.
Ciel gris au front de mer à Saint-Pierre
Plein air watercolour, 24 x 34 cms, signed Walkington and undated. Available.

Watercolour of old canons pointing outwards from a seafront wall, "Canons au Barachois de Saint-Denis," by William Walkington.
Canons au Barachois de Saint-Denis
Plein air watercolour, 24 x 34 cms, signed Walkington and dated 95. Available.

Watercolour of small traditional fishing boats parked near the ocean, "Barques à la marine de Langevin," by William Walkington
Barques à la marine de Langevin
Watercolour, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection

Watercolour of small boats placed on a beach shaded by banyans, at Terre-Sainte, Réunion Island, by William Walkington in 1995
Barques à l'ombre des banyans de Terre-Sainte
Plein air watercolour, 24 x 34 cms, signed William Walkington and dated 95. Private Collection.

Watercolour of two small fishing boats on a ramp, with Saint-Pierre in the distance, "Terre Sainte," by William Walkington
Terre Sainte
Watercolour, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.

Watercolour of two small boats on a ramp and swirling clouds above, "Ciel Tourmenté sur Terre Sainte," by William Walkington
Ciel Tourmenté sur Terre Sainte
Watercolour, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.

Watercolour of a small traditional fishing boat on volcanic sand under a banyan, "Le Havre de Paix," by William Walkington
Le Havre de Paix
Watercolour, 38 x 29 cms, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.

Watercolour from the edge of a cliff of a man in a small fishing boat in a blue sea, "Le Jardin Secret," by William Walkington
Le Jardin Secret
Watercolour, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.

Watercolour of a coastal view from the Ravine des Cafres, "Vue sur le Piton de Grande Anse," by William Walkington in 1995
Vue sur le Piton de Grande Anse
Watercolour, 24 x 33.75 cms, signed Walkington and dated 95. Private Collection.

Black and white scan of a coastal watercolour, "Vue depuis la Pointe de la Ravine des Cafres," by William Walkington in 1996
Vue depuis la Pointe de la Ravine des Cafres
Plein-air watercolour, 24 x 33.5 cms, signed Walkington and dated 96. Private Collection.
This was painted from the same viewpoint as above, but the waves were quite different.
This is the scan of a photocopy, and if possible, an alternative colour photograph would be much appreciated.

Black and white scan of a watercolour of small boats, "Barques sous les banyans de Terre-Sainte," by William Walkington in 1996
Barques sous les banyans de Terre-Sainte
Watercolour, 23.5 x 33.5 cms, signed Walkington and dated 96. Private Collection.
This is the scan of a photocopy, and if possible, an alternative colour photograph would be much appreciated.

Black and white scan of a watercolour of small boats, "Rampe de barques à Terre-Sainte," by William Walkington in 1996
Rampe de barques à Terre-Sainte
Watercolour, 24 x 33.5 cms, signed Walkington and dated 96. Private Collection.
This is the scan of a photocopy, and if possible, an alternative colour photograph would be much appreciated.

Black and white scan of a watercolour of small boats, "La Rivière d'Abord à Saint-Pierre," by William Walkington in 1996
La Rivière d'Abord à Saint-Pierre
Plein air watercolour, 23.5 x 33.5 cms, signed Walkington and dated 96. Private Collection.
This is the scan of a photocopy, and if possible, an alternative colour photograph would be much appreciated.

Black and white scan of a watercolour of two small boats, "Deux barques à la marine de Langevin," by William Walkington in 1996
Deux barques à la marine de Langevin
Watercolour, 24 x 33.5 cms, signed Walkington and dated 96. Private Collection.
This painting can be compared to a watercolour displayed above, but here the scene is slightly changed.
This is the scan of a photocopy, and if possible, an alternative colour photograph would be much appreciated.

Black and white scan of a watercolour of bathers, "Baigneurs et barques à la Marine de Saint-Rose," by William Walkington
Baigneurs et barques à la Marine de Saint-Rose
Watercolour, 23.5 x 33.5 cms, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.
Today this site has unfortunately disappeared, having been replaced by a larger but safer port and marina (with a capacity of 100 boats).
This is the scan of a photocopy, and if possible, an alternative colour photograph would be much appreciated.

Black and white scan of a watercolour of a small island surrounded by a foamy ocean, "Petite-Ile," by William Walkington
Petite-Ile
Watercolour, 9.25 x 13.25 cms, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.
This is the scan of a photocopy, and if possible, an alternative colour photograph would be much appreciated.

Black and white scan of a watercolour of a sandy beach under coconut trees, "Plage de Grande Anse," by William Walkington
Plage de Grande Anse
Watercolour, 9.25 x 13.25 cm, signed Walkington and undated. Private Collection.
This is the scan of a photocopy, and if possible, an alternative colour photograph would be much appreciated.

A missing painting?

Should you possess a watercolour that you cannot find here but you think should be on this page, please refer to the section about missing paintings in "Other Information."


No comments:

Post a Comment

But should you wish to make enquiries about an eventual acquisition, or if you prefer to send a private message about any subject, please email me at the following address: william.walkington@wanadoo.fr

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)