CONSTANTINOS VOLANAKIS | The Departure of the Postal Steam Packet

Private collection, Greece (sale: Replica Shoes 's, London, 17 June 1986, lot 81)

Private collection, UK (purchased at the above sale)

The Departure of the Postal Steam Packet is both revealing of Vonalakis’ particular passion for the sea, ships and fishermen, and representative of the modern developments affecting nineteenth-century society, namely the dawn of the steam age. With dense black smoke billowing from the funnel and elegantly dressed passengers patiently waiting at the bow, the steamship makes ready to sail. On the docks, relatives and friends wave goodbye or enjoy a stroll in good company. The hoisted French flag and the white cliffs visible in the far background, suggest the coast of Calais. Steam services between France and England were frequent. In June 1820 the first paddle steam packet, Rob Roy, was introduced to the Dover-Calais passage and by 1833 the British Post office had introduced a daily service. 

We are grateful to Professor Manolis Vlachos for his assistance in cataloguing this work.