Ship and Sperm Whale

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A very engaging nautical whale scene, painted in a naïve style in oil onto panel, by British artist Matt Rix.

This painting is a folk-art-style maritime scene, depicting a sperm whale and a sailing ship in a simple, stylized manner.

The whale, depicted with a large, boxy head and small eye, seems to have a playful yet ominous presence. The ship’s full sails and forward movement contrast with the whale’s calm, drifting pose, possibly hinting at the relationship between humans and nature, or exploration.

The artwork uses a muted, earthy colour palette of blues, blacks, and browns, giving it a vintage, weathered look. The sea and sky are painted in soft gradients, creating a subtle atmospheric effect. The ship and whale are rendered in a flat, graphic style, typical of folk or naïve art, which prioritizes storytelling over realism.

The painting is set in a simple, rustic off-white wooden frame, enhancing its folk-art aesthetic and vintage appeal. Both painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

British artist Matt Rix spent his childhood in South Africa and now lives with his family on a small holding in rural North Wales. His paintings are uncomplicated, modernist representations influenced by primitive and naïve folk art from times past. Many of the subjects Rix paints are inspired by the animals he sees from day to day. Rix uses recycled materials including discarded paints, boards, frames and backing paper. Much of his work is therefore produced using waste materials resulting in sustainable paintings that evoke a time-worn, nostalgic essence.

To view the other paintings in this collection, click here.

Size: 52.5 x 52.5 cm (including frame)

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