19TH CENTURY SHIP PORTRAIT showing a port view of the Swedish bark Scandia off Heligoland. Off her stern is a portside stern view of a ship under full sail. Off the bow is a pilot schooner and the island of Heligoland in the background. Oil on canvas. 25" x 36" plus a 2 1/2' gilt frame. Neatly lettered inscription along the lower left "Bark Scandia fron Wifste Warf, comenderad af Capt: Gustaf Bergenstrahle. 1856". Signed by the artist lower left "P. HOLM pinxit 1856". Peter Christian Holm(1823-1888) was a well known German ship portraitist whose work is found in the top maritime museums across the the world. Condition excellent. Never been lined so there is expected but sound age crackling throughout. One tiny old patch on the reverse that is not visible from the front. Overall a very bright and pleasing ship painting.