The tugboat and the Belém Tower
Origin: Portugal
Author: Luis Ascencio Tomasini
Date: nineteenth century
Material: Oil on canvas
Dimension: Height: 620 mm, largura: 600 mm
MM.05274
Luis Ascencio Tomasini (1832-1902), was one of the major Portuguese painters of maritime motifs in the nineteenth century. Professionally, Tomasini served as captain aboard different ships, completing several maritime voyages. In some of these trips, his courage and skill were essential for the safety of important values and precious lives.
This painting depicts a sailboat being towed. At that time, this business was without doubt one of the most profitable activities for steam ships. In many other paintings, Tomasini depicts this new reality, denoting not only a high and refined artistic sensibility, but also a special fondness for maritime motifs.