Artists statement

British painter Howard Jarvis was best known for his maritime landscape paintings. An early member of the Society of Marine Artists (UK), formed in 1939, he went to sea on merchant ships and served in the Royal Navy during World War II. His works were influenced by marine artist Kenneth Shoesmith. Jarvis was commissioned by the Cunard-White Star Cruises to create a stone litho poster, which was quite well known, giving passengers a birds-eye view of a cruise ship.

Historical information

SS Orsova, built in 1954, was a British ocean liner for the Orient Steam Navigation Company until 1960, then P&O Orient Lines between 1960-1966, although the Orient ships retained their corn-coloured hulls and sailed under their own house flag. The colour of the hull on the print indicates it was made between 1954 and 1966.
On 24 May 1956, Orsova ran aground off Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, for twelve hours.
In 1966 P&O acquired the balance of the Orient Line shares and all their ships were painted white.

In the 1960s, Orsova carried many thousands of emigrants from Greece and Italy to Australia. It was staffed by approximately 600 crew and carried over a 1000 passengers.

Physical description

Colour printed reproduction of a painting or lithograph print featuring 20th C passenger liner, hull and superstructure primarily painted pale yellow, under steam at sea. Print is mounted glazed with thin gilded and moulded frame.

Inscriptions & markings

Printed inscription on border of print at lower centre edge: "Orient Line S.S. Orsova / Off San Francisco"