Parade of Sail, Le Chasse-Maree – original painting

This original painting by artist David Raine depicts old traditional Breton sailing boats and is entitled ‘Parade of Sail, Le Chasse-Maree’.

A chasse-marée typically refers to a type of decked commercial sailing boat used by wholesale fishmongers off the French Brittany coast during the 15-18th century.

Back in the 90’s David took part in the parade of sail in Douarnenez. Every other year since 1986 Douarnenez has organised maritime festivals that attract all types of traditional sailing craft, with competitors coming from all four corners of the earth to participate.

In 2004, a record year, there were almost 2000 sailing ships, 17,000 sailors, and 30 participating countries.

David’s love affair with the coast and sea developed from early childhood; with salt in his blood, it’s a theme that courses through much of his work.

Living in Cornwall, David produces a range of products that include table lamps, mirrors, small furniture pieces and paintings that represent the very essence of the shoreline.

When I was seventeen, I hitch-hiked to St Ives and bought a fisherman’s/painters smock, had half a pint in the Sloop Inn whilst looking out over the harbour, blinked into the midsummer sun glaring across the turquoise sea and fantasised that I was a painter.

How easy dreams start! At that time I sailed a 10.6’ dinghy on the Bristol Channel, now after all these years, I sail an 11’ foot dinghy on the Helford River estuary in Cornwall. Who cares if it’s only a smidgen of progress in sixty years?

This original painting is painted in acrylic on canvas, the work is unframed, but is ready to hang.

Size: 60 x 40 cm (23.5 x 16 inches)