Description
Object description
image: An aerial view of the sea with cloud cover to the right and in the background. A convoy of eighteen ships, strung
out in broken lines, steams from the lower left foreground towards the horizon. The tip of an island is visible beneath the cloud, upper
left. A plane flies towards the right. Lines of round 'percussion rings' and explosions in the water show where the planes have dropped
their bombs. The downward vapour trail of a stricken aircraft is seen on the lower right and the plane is visible beneath the waves. A
lone yellow parachute floats above the convoy, centre left.
Label
This is a coastal convoy travelling east along the English Channel, past the Isle of Wight, identifiable by the
'Needles' chalky rock formations at the tip. Eurich knew these waters well and had plenty of experience in escort destroyers used to guard
the convoys in the Channel. His fascination with the patterns of waves and water is evident in this work which manages to combine very
disparate elements into a coherent and dramatic image. Astonishingly, Eurich had never been up in an aircraft and constructed the picture
purely from his experiences at sea-level.
The importance of cloud cover is beautifully illustrated. The convoy's vulnerability and visibility contrast with the aircraft which can
'hide' above the clouds, avoiding anti-aircraft fire. As usual in Eurich's paintings, there is an extraordinary attention to distant
detail which adds clarity and incident without detracting from the overall shape of the work.
British shipping was at a disadvantage in 1941. Germany had control of the French Atlantic ports allowing raids far into the ocean, and
Irish neutrality meant that three naval ports were closed to British vessels. In April alone almost 700,000 tons of shipping were sunk.
The convoy system improved the chances of supply ships getting through, shepherded by protective destroyer escorts and supported by the RAF
which provided aerial cover.
Label
The ships are steaming off the Needles, which are seen in the top left corner. Towards the head of the convoy a destroyer throws out a smoke screen. Great splashes in the sea have been made by bombs which have missed their mark. The rings in the surface show where the other bombs have lately fallen. In the lower right corner is the smoky trail of a German aeroplane which has been brought down. The aircraft itself can be discerned beneath the surface. On the left of the picture a German airman descends by parachute. This remarkable scene observed through gaps in the banks of clouds, which afford cover for the attacking bombers, was painted by an artist who is rendering fine service to the Admiralty.
History note
War Artists Advisory Committee commission
Inscription
R.EURICH 1941
