Art matters

CHARLES Brooking is a forgotten genius among a forgotten group of artists. Despite its rich maritime tradition and history, Britain has neglected the artists who recorded the nation's maritime prowess at its height. While works by Gainsborough are part of the accepted national heritage, paintings by contemporaries such as Charles Brooking aren't. Why this should be is a mystery. Some are intent on rectifying the situation, though. This includes David Joel, who has just published a book on the life and times of Brooking - Charles Brooking 1723-1759 and the 18th Century British Marine Painters.

The story of Brooking is a short one. Firstly, because he was only in his mid-30s when he died. Secondly, because very little is known about him. Joel has done a masterful job in collating the few snippets of information that are available, and he has also produced a comprehensive catalogue of the artist's work.

For all this, though, the book would be very thin were it not for the addition of an overview of Brooking's contemporaries and a history of British maritime art up to and including Brooking. Hence the book's expanded title. Much of the additional information comes courtesy of James Taylor, erstwhile curator of paintings at the National Maritime Museum, though he remains uncredited on the cover, and is, surprisingly, omitted from Joel's own acknowledgements.

As to the book itself, it is a fine introduction to 18th century maritime art, though the sheer volume of names that passes the review starts to dazzle the eyes after a while. This is not helped by the tendency of 17th and 18th century artists to work in father-son combinations, often adopting the same names, distinguishing themselves only by the suffixes 'the Elder' or 'the Younger'.

There is plenty here to enjoy, though. It is the sort of book that can be dipped into repeatedly and something new gleaned each time. The appendices provide rich information on the pennants, flags, rigging and so on of the British fleet at the time, and provide ample historical background to what the artists were putting on canvas.

Oh, and there are some breathtaking pictures too.