About Oil Paintings of Pirate Ships

Some subject matter for oil paintings does not withstand the test of time. There are the doe-eyed dogs and the sad clowns that crowd the thrift store aisles. But oil paintings of pirate ships continue to tease the imagination of artists and art lovers. Perhaps it is the setting of the stormy seas, and the theme of man's attempt to conquer nature that appeal to collectors. Or perhaps its the mythology of the pirates themselves, enhanced by pop culture's love of everything pirate.

History

Artists have often romanticized the subjects of pirates and pirate ships. Oil paintings prior to the 18th century often showed pirates as criminals, bombarding other ships. During the 18th century, artists moved to depicting pirates as heroes conquering the open sea as opposed to conquering enemies. Historian Lynda Paul opines, "With pirates, popular culture and history meet."

Types

Expert Insight

Curators and historians point out that many oil paintings of pirate ships feature the famous pirates Captain Kidd, Blackbeard and Bart Roberts. They are typically in action, aboard their vessels. Two artists who devoted a great deal of their careers to painting pirate ships are N.C. Wyeth and Frederick Waugh.

Effects

The popularity of oil paintings of pirate ships can be partially attributed to the blockbuster "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, and Johnny Depp's excellent portrayal of a Keith Richards-style rock star pirate. However, pirate fandom has surpassed the realm of film and spawned the likes of National Talk Like a Pirate Day, Pirates Magazine, pirate festivals and fashion lines featuring skulls and crossbones.

Misconceptions

Oil paintings of pirates can be responsible for misconceptions about pirates. Historians have a challenging time untangling the truths about pirates from the mythologies promoted in art and literature. While it's clear that many pirates were barbaric thieves driven by naked greed, there was also a tradition of the privateer, or the legal pirate for hire. Of course, oil paintings can also capture the truths about pirates, such as that many had peg legs, carried parrots on their shoulders and wore eye patches.