Collection: Duncan McFarlane

McFarlane’s work is characterized by his meticulous attention to detail, dramatic use of light and shadow, and a keen understanding of atmospheric effects. He was heavily influenced by the Dutch Golden Age marine painters, particularly Willem van de Velde the Younger, whose compositions emphasized realism and precision. McFarlane often depicted ships in full sail against expansive, cloud-filled skies, creating a sense of both movement and grandeur. His paintings not only served as artistic representations of maritime life but also as historical records of 19th-century shipbuilding and naval architecture.