The Custom House at Greenock, Scotland
1828
Medium
Oil on wood
Dimensions
16 1/2 x 25 5/8 in. (41.9 x 65.1 cm)
Classification
Painting
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Koenigsberg, 1979, Gift of Lisa Koenigsberg, in memory of Harry L. Koenigsberg, 2004
Accession Number
1979.488
Tags
Art Historical Context
Robert Salmon's *The Custom House at Green, Scotland* (1828) captures the vibrant maritime energy of this bustling Scottish port town on a dramatic day. Painted in oil on a wood panel measuring 16½ x 25⅝ inches, the work depicts the imposing Custom House—a key hub for trade and shipping—amidst ships, working men, and turbulent storm clouds. Greenock, on the Firth of Clyde, was a center for shipbuilding and commerce in the early 19th century, reflecting Britain's industrial boom and seafaring prowess. Salmon, a masterful marine painter born in Scotland, excelled in rendering realistic harbor s...