The Frigate 'Surprise' at Anchor off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk by Francis Holman. An 18th-century maritime painting depicting a large frigate with furled sails anchored in choppy waters, surrounded by smaller sailing vessels and rowboats with a distant coastline featuring windmills and church spires.
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The Frigate 'Surprise' at Anchor off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

Francis Holman

1775 · Oil Paint, Canvas

A classic 18th-century maritime scene of the frigate 'Surprise' anchored off the coast of Norfolk, captured with masterful detail.

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Where it works

A measured, grounding piece in a warmer tonal register — sits comfortably in a more formal setting.

Often works in
Living Room · Office · Library
Placement
Works well as a measured horizontal anchor
Walls
Reads strongest when the wall gives it contrast
Color notes
Warm beige, Soft sage, Charcoal black

About the piece

Painted in 1775 by Francis Holman, this oil on canvas captures the frigate 'Surprise' at anchor off Great Yarmouth. The composition masterfully balances the intricate rigging of the central ship with an atmospheric, cloud-filled sky and the bustling activity of smaller vessels against a distant horizon dotted with traditional Norfolk windmills.

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