When I was at the Wimborne History Festival a couple of weeks ago I photographed a chap dressed as a midshipman from the Early 19th century. We had a long chat about his costume and the sort of life he would have led on board ship. I asked him if he thought he had been born in the wrong century because he was obviously fascinated by the period. No he didn’t think so, who would want to live in fear in a brutal heirerarchy without all the things we enjoy today such as health care, communications, modern clothing and basic human rights. Despite all that goes on in the world today we are better off than a midshipman in Nelson’s navy! I decided a painting with Waitrose in the background wouldn’t suit the period so I moved him to a dockside and added a frigate at anchor.
Art by David 