Geoff William Hunt, now recognized as one of the worlds leading marine artists, was born in 1948 in Richmond-on -Thames. As a child, he was facinated with the Thames river traffic and was told of a distant relative who perished when his full-rigged iron ship MAJU, bound for Rangoon, Burma, was wrecked on the Outer Hebrides.This experience made his decision to paint ships, was set for his lifetime ambition. He studied graphic art design at Kingston and Epsom Schools of Art from 1966 to 1970, later becoming a freelance artist and designer in advertising for two years. Mr Hunt served as Art Editor for the journal Warship and designed many books on marine subjects for Conway Maritime Press. He now lives and has his studio in Wimbledon, England with his wife and two sons.
Hunt's zeal for historical accuracy means that much of his time is spent on research. Even before he sits at his easel in his cluttered studio, he is at libraries looking for detailed firsthand accounts in ship's logs and 18th century sailmaking, rigging and construction. So obsessive is he about accuracy in his paintings, that he consults sources such as the Royal Observatory at Greenwich and the U.S. Naval Observatory to determine the altitude and azmimuth of the sun at certain latitude and longitude at an exact moment in history. These efforts are used to determine the interplay of light and shadow on sails and the mood of the sea. This is one of the many elements that make his paintings so convincing.
It was because of Geoff Hunt's determination for accuracy that was possible for him to collaborate with the late Patrick O'Brian for the book cover illustrations of the Aubrey-Maturin novels, published by HarperCollins. Hunt and O'Brian would meet for lunch at a London supper club, where they would discuss the illustration needed to fit the novel story line. Sometimes, O'Brian would write in longhand the plot for his manuscript, while Hunt prompted ideas. At the end of the day, O'Brian's wife Mary, would gather up the pages and type the results. This working relationship continued until the novelist passed away at his native Dublin, Ireland.
Geof Hunt's artist work is on permanent exhibition at the Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth, the Royal Naval Submarine Museum at Gosport and at the HMS NEPTUNE, Faslane, Scotland. He has exhibited at the Mystic Maritime Gallery, Mystic, Conn, the John Stobart Gallery, Boston, MA, the Hanover Square Gallery, New York and the Gallery Americana, Carmel, California.
The following series of Geoff Hunt's work of art are a pleasure for those who enjoy patrick O'Brians novels and the Napoleonic era of the fighting sailing navies.
HMS SURPRISE under royals and stunsails.
" The Commodore"
HMS SURPRISE "Far Side of the World"
"Master and Commander " Used as the cover of O'Brian's first Aubrey-Maturin novel.
"Desolation Island"
"The Wine Dark Sea"
"The Surgeon's Mate"
"Blue at the Mizzen" HMS SURPRISE battling heavy seas off Cap Pilar after rounding Cape Horn. This painting served as the cover of Patrick O'Brian's final Aubrey-Maturin novel.
"Treason's Harbor" HMS SURPRISE at anchor at Grand Harbor, Malta.
"The Mauritius Command" As seen from the top mast of the 18 gun sloop, HMS OTTER.
"The Thirteen Gun Salute" The cover for the 13th novel of Patrick O'Brian's 20 book series of the Aubrey-Maturin adventures.
"The Yellow Admiral" A cutter rows away from the 74 gun ship, HMS BELLONA. This actual vessel had a long and distinguished career in the Royal Navy from 1762 to 1814.
HMS SURPRISE off Calcutta, India. The cover for O'Brian's third novel of the Aubrey-Maturin series.
"The letter of Marque" The cover for the 12th novel of Patrick O' Brian. View from the topgallent mast head as the SURPRISE bears down on a crippled schooner.
"Spithead Anchorage" Several of the vessels associated with Captain Aubrey. From left to right, ARIEL, 18 gun sloop,( "The surgeon's mate".) POLYCREST 24 gun ship,( "Post Captain", ) In foreground, LEOPARD, 50 gun fourth rate("Desolation Island". Beyond, BOADICEA, named for the Celtic queen who fought the 1st century AD Roman invasion. ("The Mauritius Command") and finally, RINGLE, a Baltimore-built captured armed schooner, (The Commodore")
"Dispatches for Admiral Thornton" HMS SURPRISE, approaches HMS OCEAN with messages for the Admiral.
"The Hundred Days" Captain Jack Aubrey cleared for night action, dashes down the African coast to intercept a fleet of Moorish pirates, who harass British East Indianman. HMS SURPRISE in the lead followed by POMONE, BRISEIS, DOVER, GANYMEDE, RAINBOW and the American build schooner RINGLE on the far right.
"Captain Aubrey Commands' Captain Aubrey leads a fleet in the Mediterranean looking for the French. Leading the fleet is the 14 gun brig, SOPHIE as described in "Master and Commander" followed by the 28 gun, SURPRISE, the 74 gun ship, BELLONA, while lagging behind is the slower 50 gun, LEOPARD.
"The Ionian Mission" The 8th book of Patrick O'Brian series of novels
Geoff Hunt did not only paint for Patrick O"Brian's novels. His other subjects included American vessels of the Revolutionary War, modern ships and racing yachts. The scope of his work is too numerous to include in this thread. For those who love the sea, Mr Hunt's painting are an inspiration to enjoy.
Montani semper liberi ! Happy modeling to all and every one of you.
Crackers 