images of maarten platje and his art on loan from the artist and cavalier galleries, inc.
Opening Shots, USS Constitution vs. HMS Guerierre, (2018) by Maarten Platje, oil on linen Three of Platje’s recent paintings in the 2019 exhibition are set in the first years of the nineteenth century and feature the first US naval ships USS Philadelphia and USS Constitution at their duties in Gibraltar, Tripoli, and Malta during the First Barbary War (1801–1805). The remainder of his series focuses on the War of 1812 and the fledgling US Navy’s battles against the larger, more powerful and experienced British Royal Navy. At the outbreak of this war, the US Navy consisted of just sixteen seagoing vessels, while the British fleet could muster more than 600 warships for a conflict at sea. USS Constitution is featured in seven of these paintings and Platje believes his visit to “Old Ironsides,” the most prominent American ship during this war, in Boston was also very important to his motivation to cover this subject in his art and in getting the details right. By walking her decks and studying her physical structure, he could hone in on the physical specifics of the ship such as dimensions, masts, gunnery, rigging, and living spaces. “For me, it became clear that Constitution should play an important role in the series of paintings.” Opening Shots, USS Constitution vs. HMS Guerierre (above) celebrates the first significant victory for the United States in the War of 1812. The outcome of this early battle surprised both sides, and indicated the war might go differently than they initially predicted. The United States had assumed it had the advantage ashore, but that it would have a difficult time at sea against the superior forces of the Royal Navy. The larger, better-armed and well-manned USS Constitution’s early victory for the US Navy was an important win for the country, both strategically and emotionally. This painting shows both vessels in rich technical detail and showcases Platje’s mastery in rendering, light, wind, water, and atmosphere. SEA HISTORY 167, SUMMER 2019 33