Sails, Sunlight & History: John Stobart’s The Fairfax Leaving Alexandria Goes on Display

There’s something magical about watching a ship set sail, that charged moment when sails fill, lines are cast off and a harbor hums with anticipation!

We are thrilled to share The Fairfax Leaving Alexandria, is now the fourth original painting by renowned maritime artist John Stobart on display in our galleries here at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. All of the works by John Stobart here at CIMM are on loan courtesy of the Nelson Maritime Arts Foundation and the Nelson Family.

In this luminous work, Stobart captures the Fairfax at the very instant of departure. Sunlight shimmers across the water, sails billow with promise and the waterfront buzzes with life as people wave farewell. The scene feels alive, as if you’re standing right there on the dock, watching history unfold before you.

John Stobart (1929–2023) was one of the world’s most celebrated maritime painters, known for his grand, meticulously researched harbor scenes. Born in England and later based in the United States, Stobart dedicated his career to recreating historic ports and coastal cities at pivotal moments in time. His works are held in major collections and museums across the country, and he earned international acclaim for his ability to combine architectural precision with breathtaking atmosphere. Each painting reflects years of research, ensuring every ship, building and detail is historically accurate, yet it’s the warmth of light and sense of human energy that truly bring his canvases to life.

What makes The Fairfax Leaving Alexandria so captivating is that balance of history and emotion. The golden glow of the sky, the intricate rigging of the ship, the subtle movement in the crowd on the dock, it’s one of those paintings you can stand in front of for hours and still discover something new.

We invite you to experience the mastery of John Stobart and explore four of his works here at CIMM! Come wander the galleries, immerse yourself in maritime history and let yourself be transported to another time and tide.

Vallejo Street Wharf, San Francisco, 1863 by John Stobart