A Shipwrecked Sailor waiting for a Sail, 1881

John Evan Hodgson RA (1831 - 1895)

RA Collection: Art

Hodgson was born in London but emigrated with his family to Russia in 1835 and subsequently he worked in his father's import-export office in St. Petersburg. During this time Hodgson became fascinated by the Old Master paintings in the Hermitage and this inspired him to return to London in 1853 and enrol in the Royal Academy Schools. His early work typically depicted everyday episodes from history, and he soon joined the St. John's Wood Clique, a group of artists who shared an interest in this kind of subject.

Hodgson visited North Africa in 1868 and exhibited many scenes from his travels. In this work he depicts a sailor stranded on an unspecified island with the ribs of the wrecked ship just visible in the background. The image Hodgson conveys is not overly desperate as the sailor does not appear to be starving and has a dog for company. The title also gives the viewer a certain reassurance that he will be rescued.