HMS LION, 1919 (MP190)

Frank Watson Wood (1862-1953).  Watercolour signed and dated 1920 but annotated in pencil verso “LION Sept ‘19”.

The famous LION was almost as much painted in her day as WARSPITE, HOOD and QUEEN ELIZABETH and Frank Wood was as keen on her as anyone! Forever associated for her role as Admiral Beatty’s flagship when he was the battle cruiser admiral in the first years of World War 1, this Splendid Cat, as the First Lord of The Admiralty, Mr Churchill, enjoyed calling the class of LION, PRINCESS ROYAL and QUEEN MARY, is painted here in her final guise, with the clinker screen on the forrard funnel and searchlight towers around the after funnel being the two most obvious features.

She is commanded (Sept 1919) by Captain Wifred Tomkinson CB MVO and is wearing the flag of Vice Admiral Sir Roger Keyes KCB KCVO CMG DSO , Vice Admiral Commanding 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron. A victim of the Washington Treaty she was to pay off just 6 months after this watercolour was painted and reduced to Reserve on 31st March 1920. She was sold on 31st January 1924 to Hughes Bolckow and broken up at Jarrow and Blyth. The artist Norman Wilkinson has famously depicted her in an etching as she sits alongside at Jarrow a forlorn sight: high out of the water, rust streaked and tatty with one of her foreyards lying akimbo over the bridge, signal halyards flying free, main gun turrets partially dismantled.

Limited Edition: 12 copies worldwide

Standard size: 9 ¾ x 6 ½ ins (25 x 17 cms) approx. Price band: £110 - £120

The original of this watercolour is for sale (for sale as a pair with HMS TIGER, 1919 or separately) – please contact Maritime Prints

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