Dominic Serres
Encyclopedia
Dominic Serres also known as Dominic Serres the Elder, was a French
-born painter
strongly associated with the English school of painting, and with paintings with a naval or marine theme. Such were his connections with the English art world, that he became one of the founding members of the Royal Academy
in 1768, and was later briefly (from 1792 until his death) its librarian.
Born in Auch
, Gascony
, he was initially expected to train as a priest but instead travelled to Spain
and became a ship’s captain, sailing to Cuba
. He was taken prisoner by the British navy towards the end of the 1740s and eventually settled in London
in about 1758, where it is believed he trained as a painter in Northamptonshire
and later in London
under Charles Brooking
. If Serres did not settle in London until 1758, however, he could not have studied for long under Charles Brooking, since Brooking was buried on 25 March 1759.
Reflecting his early career, many of his paintings have naval themes. Working for a publisher documenting the events in the Seven Years' War
(1756–1763), he painted a series of depictions including the capture of Havana
(1762). He also painted events in the America
n War of Independence (1776–1783). In 1780, he was appointed Marine Painter to King George III
.
Serres died in 1793, and was buried at St. Marylebone
Old Church. His eldest son John Thomas Serres
(1759–1825) also became a prolific marine artist.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
-born painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
strongly associated with the English school of painting, and with paintings with a naval or marine theme. Such were his connections with the English art world, that he became one of the founding members of the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
in 1768, and was later briefly (from 1792 until his death) its librarian.
Born in Auch
Auch
Auch is a commune in southwestern France. Located in the region of Midi-Pyrénées, it is the capital of the Gers department. Auch is the historical capital of Gascony.-The Ausci:...
, Gascony
Gascony
Gascony is an area of southwest France that was part of the "Province of Guyenne and Gascony" prior to the French Revolution. The region is vaguely defined and the distinction between Guyenne and Gascony is unclear; sometimes they are considered to overlap, and sometimes Gascony is considered a...
, he was initially expected to train as a priest but instead travelled to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and became a ship’s captain, sailing to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. He was taken prisoner by the British navy towards the end of the 1740s and eventually settled in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in about 1758, where it is believed he trained as a painter in Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
and later in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
under Charles Brooking
Charles Brooking
Charles Brooking was an English painter of marine scenes.-Life:It is highly probable that Brooking’s father was a Charles Brooking who was recorded as employed by Greenwich Hospital between 1729 and 1736 as a painter and decorator. Charles Brooking senior had earlier been active in Plymouth and...
. If Serres did not settle in London until 1758, however, he could not have studied for long under Charles Brooking, since Brooking was buried on 25 March 1759.
Reflecting his early career, many of his paintings have naval themes. Working for a publisher documenting the events in the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
(1756–1763), he painted a series of depictions including the capture of Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
(1762). He also painted events in the America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
n War of Independence (1776–1783). In 1780, he was appointed Marine Painter to King George III
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
.
Serres died in 1793, and was buried at St. Marylebone
St Marylebone Parish Church
-First church:The first church for the parish was built in the vicinity of the present Marble Arch c.1200, and dedicated to St John the Evangelist.-Second church:...
Old Church. His eldest son John Thomas Serres
John Thomas Serres
John Thomas Serres was an English maritime painter who enjoyed significant success, including exhibiting extensively at the Royal Academy, and was for a time Maritime Painter to King George III.-Life:...
(1759–1825) also became a prolific marine artist.
Further reading
- Russett, Alan. Dominic Serres 1719 - 1793: War Artist to the Navy (Antiques Collectors Club, 2001).
External links
- Dominic Serres online (ArtCyclopedia)
- Dominic Serres (Biography and works at the Royal Academy of Arts, London).
- Serres biography and works (National Maritime MuseumNational Maritime MuseumThe National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England is the leading maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum of its kind in the world. The historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, it also incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich,...
, London) - Serres ancestry ("rootsweb")
- An English man-o'war shortening sail entering Portsmouth harbour (painting - exhibited in 1778)