Thomas Luny - The three-masted English merchantman Integrity in two positions in the Saint Lawrence River arriving at Montreal

The three-masted English merchantman Integrity in two positions in the Saint Lawrence River arriving at Montreal
signed 'T Luny' (lower left)
Lot number: auctions/18875/lot/46/ Old Master Paintings Sale
Most likely a portrait of the Integrity before 1801, a 280-ton vessel built at Whitby in 1780, owned by a Mr. Breckwood and commanded by Captain Gibson. Her career began trading to Saint Petersburg but soon transferred into the 'Canada Trade' until at least 1800. It's suggested that the large hatches in her hull, forward of her fore and mizzen masts, indicate she was designed to carry timber but this is unconfirmed.


The representation of Montreal is after Thomas Patten, a British officer in General Amherst's expeditionary force which captured the city in September 1760. Patten painted a watercolour view of Montreal from the east, presumably quite soon after the British occupation, subsequently engraved by P. Carnot, published in London in November 1762 as part of a large work entitled Scenographia Americana.