A dizzying naval tradition comes back to life in paintings | Nostalgia

Artist Neil Marshall has produced another two amazing paintings – this time both set in Gosport.
The Button Boy atop the mast at HMS St Vincent. Picture: Neil MarshallThe Button Boy atop the mast at HMS St Vincent. Picture: Neil Marshall
The Button Boy atop the mast at HMS St Vincent. Picture: Neil Marshall

The first is of a vertigo-inducing mast-manning display at HMS St Vincent.

The second is of Clarence Yard where Queen Victoria is embarking with Prince Albert from her personal railway station to board a barge for Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, about 1850.

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The first picture is imagined from behind the cadet at the top, known as the Button Boy. Neil witnessed this naval tradition as a child and always feared for the person at the top as they appeared to just stand there without support.

Queen Victoria boards her barge at Clarence Yard. Picture: Neil MarshallQueen Victoria boards her barge at Clarence Yard. Picture: Neil Marshall
Queen Victoria boards her barge at Clarence Yard. Picture: Neil Marshall

He learnt in his research for the painting that the lightning conductor was used by the Button Boy by clamping on to it with his knees.

Neil, from Stubbington, says: ‘It’s still frightful and made me dizzy at times when producing the painting.’

For the first time the prints of these paintings will be a limited edition, just 100 of each. Size is the same for both at 61cm (24in) x 50.7cm (20in). They will be signed and issue numbered at £35 each.

Contact Neil on [email protected] or via 07469 711 700. His Facebook page is Neil Marshall Art.

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