A Lugger and a Brig in Chase by Moonlight by Thomas Buttersworth. Two sailing ships navigate a dark, turbulent sea illuminated by a full moon and a glowing fire on the distant horizon.

A Lugger and a Brig in Chase by Moonlight

Thomas Buttersworth

1850 · Oil Paint, Canvas

A dramatic 19th-century maritime scene capturing a midnight chase under the silvery glow of a full moon.

$129

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Where it works

A weightier piece with lively force in a warmer tonal register — brings a composed sense of weight.

Often works in
Library · Living Room · Study
Placement
Works well when the wall can carry a broader statement
Walls
Reads strongest on light or mid-tone walls
Color notes
Charcoal black, Rich brown

About the piece

Attributed to Thomas Buttersworth and dated to circa 1850, this evocative oil painting depicts a lugger and a brig locked in a high-stakes chase across a choppy sea. The composition is masterfully lit by moonlight breaking through heavy clouds, contrasting with the warm, ominous glow of a distant fire on the coast. It is a quintessential example of Romantic-era maritime art, emphasizing the power of nature and the drama of life at sea.

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