Thomas Buttersworth, (British, 1768-1828)

An English two-decker and an armed naval cutter in the Tagus off the Belem Tower

An English two-decker and an armed naval cutter in the Tagus off the Belem Tower
signed 'T Buttersworth' (lower left)
oil on canvas
42.8 x 53.9cm (16 7/8 x 21 1/4in).

This work depicts one of Thomas Buttersworth's favourite locations, the mouth of the River Tagus and, in particular, the historic Belem Tower. Resembling a fortress and indeed often referred to as 'Belem Castle', this picturesque landmark was actually built as a fortified lighthouse and formed the apex of a triangle of three structures intended to guard the approaches to Lisbon. Begun by order of King Manuel I (1515-20) during the first year of his reign and completed in 1521, the tower originally stood on an island in the middle of the Tagus until the course of the river was diverted by an earthquake in 1777, resiting it to its present location adjacent to the northern bank. Designed by Diego and Francisco Arruda in the Manueline style – it is, in fact, Portugal's only pure Manueline building – the tower is decorated with elaborate symbols of national as well as royal power including armillary spheres [King Manuel's badge of honour], crosses of the Military Order of Christ and even some naturalistic elements such as a rhinoceros, the first such representation in stone known in Europe. Subsequently used as a prison and then a telegraph station, occupying French troops destroyed the upper two stories in 1807 and even though these were later reconstructed, Buttersworth depicts the truncated tower just as it appeared to him and his contemporaries.

Thomas Buttersworth was born on the Isle of Wight on 5th May 1768 and enlisted into the Royal Navy in August 1795. He joined his first ship, the brand-new frigate Caroline then fitting out at Deptford, as an Able Seaman, a rate which clearly recognised his ability and perhaps indicated some previous mercantile experience. After only three months in Caroline, he was appointed Master-at-Arms and, in 1800, was made a midshipman, a rare promotion from the 'lower deck' at that time. Invalided home from Minorca later that same year, he appears to have left the navy as a result although the nature of his infirmity is not known.

Despite his subsequent career as a marine painter, the large number of Buttersworth's paintings – both oils and watercolours – which exist from the period 1797-1800 confirms that he was producing a significant output whilst still serving in the navy. Moreover, his many views of the battle of Cape St. Vincent (14th February 1797), the blockading squadron off Cadiz and of British naval activity in and around the Tagus strongly suggests that he witnessed those events in person. Undoubtedly, his own years with the fleet had given him a graphic understanding of ships and sea warfare to the extent that becoming a professional artist appeared entirely logical when his health seemingly prevented any further service with the Royal Navy.