RMS Laconia, signed oil painting

RMS Laconia, 1921 by Louis Letouche (French 1924-2015) oil painting on linen canvas, stretched over board framed Framed size: 14.25 x 22.75 inches Superb oil painting by the well listed French marine artist Louis Letouche (1924-2015). The painting portrays the 1900-1930 ship titled: RMS Laconia, 1921. The second RMS Laconia was a Cunard ocean liner, built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson as a successor of the 1911-1917 Laconia. The new ship was launched on 9 April 1921, and made her maiden voyage on 25 May 1922 from Southampton to New York City. At the outbreak of World War II she was converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser, and subsequently a troopship. Like her predecessor, sunk during the First World War, this Laconia was also destroyed by a German submarine. Some estimates of the death toll have suggested that over 1,649 people were killed when the Laconia sank. The U-boat commander Werner Hartenstein then staged a dramatic effort to rescue the passengers and the crew of Laconia, which involved additional German U-boats and became known as the Laconia incident. The painting is by the very talented French marine artist, Louis Letouche (1924-2015). The artist began painting passionately in 1958. Self taught, he turned to marine portraiture in which he excelled. Never seeking fame or the highlight, the artists work has been relatively unknown until now a couple of years after his death. We are very pleased to introduce you to his work, having acquired a number of marine portraits by this artist, all of which came from the artists estate. For the collector of maritime paintings and history, they offer a fascinating and unique insight into our maritime past – and for any marine themed interior, they make wonderful interior decoration. They offer potential as a single painting on the “den” wall, pairs hung either side of a fireplace or even whole sets grouped together to really make a powerful statement within a themed space. Condition report: The painting is in very good condition. If you will excuse the pun, we can “ship” this painting worldwide!