THE AUBREY-MATURIN SERIES

Paintings and Drawings inspired by
the Epic Novels of Patrick O’Brian

“The greatest historical novels ever written.”

-The New York Times Book Review

“A brilliantly imagined world that one scarcely wishes ever to leave.”

-New Republic

Renowned English author Patrick O’Brian (1914-2000) wrote his celebrated 20-novel saga between 1969 and 1999. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the books follow the global adventures of British Naval Captain Jack “Goldilocks” Aubrey, his best friend, Irish/Catalan Doctor Stephen Maturin, and a motley cast of recurring characters. O’Brian departed the earth in 2000, leaving the 21st book an unfinished manuscript. Published in 24 languages, the beloved series has sold millions of copies, inspired a blockbuster Hollywood film (Master and Commander, 2003), and gained a devoted worldwide following.

In 2019, publisher W.W. Norton contracted Matthew Benedict to secure the licensing rights for 21 of the artist’s paintings to appear on the covers of their latest paperback re-issue of the series. O’Brian and Benedict were a perfect fit. Literary references and maritime history are major themes throughout the artist’s work. While Benedict is not an illustrator by trade, his paintings consciously reference the artists of the Golden Age of American Illustration, such as Maxfield Parrish, Howard Pyle, J.C. Leyendecker, and N.C. Wyeth.

.

 Scrapbook

blUYAGDl

GALLERY

The works below are the original paintings and preparatory drawings for the book covers of the series. They are being sold unframed, and shipped directly from the artist’s studio, shipping not included. Prices available on request.

• A green dot indicates works that are available.

The Dawn of the Saga. Gouache and colored pencil on archival bookbinders board. 30 in x 20.5 in/76.2 cm x 52.07 cm. Museum Purchase. Collection of Historic Lewes, Delaware.

• Study for “The Gifts of Samuel Panda.” Colored pencil on tinted paper. 25.6 in x 19.7 in/ 65 cm x 50 cm.

• Study for “HMS Surprise Reaches the Galapagos.” Colored pencil on tinted paper. 25.6 in x 19.7 in/65cm x 50cm.

• Sea-Battle at Mauritius. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board, 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm.

• Study for “HMS Diane Marooned in Indonesia.” Colored pencil on paper. 28 in x 20 in/71 cm x 50.5 cm

• Ship in the Strait of Gibraltar. Gouache and colored pencil on archival bookbinders board. 30 in x 20.5 in/ 76.2 cm x 52.07 cm.

Blue Hour in the Great Cabin of the HMS Surprise. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm. Private collection, New York.

• Study for “Clarissa Oakes.” Colored pencil on tinted paper. 25.6 in x 19.7 in/ 65cm x 50cm.

Boston Harbor, c.1812. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm. Museum Purchase. Collection of Historic Lewes, Delaware.

• Study for “Cabo de Hornos.” Colored pencil on tinted paper. 25.6 in x 19.7 / 65 cm x 50 cm.

• The Sinking of the American Privateer “Liberty” off the Great Banks. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm.

• Study for “Battle with a Slaver.” Colored pencil on tinted paper. 25.6 in x 19.7 in/65cm x 50cm.

• Captain Goldilocks and Doctor Maturin on the Quarterdeck of the HMS Surprise. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm.

• Study for “Captain Goldilocks in England.” Colored pencil on tinted paper. 25.6 in x 19.7 in/ 65 cm x 50 cm.

• Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta c. 1812. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm.

• Study for “Death Approaches.” Colored pencil on tinted paper. 25.6 in x 19.7 in/ 65cm x 50cm.

• The Gifts of Samuel Panda. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm.

• Study for “Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta, c. 1812.”Colored pencil on tinted paper. 25.6 in x 19.7 in/ 65cm x 50cm.

• HMS Surprise Reaches the Galapagos. 2021. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm.

• Study for “The Sinking of the American Privateer ‘Liberty’ off The Great Banks.” Colored pencil on tinted paper. 25.6 in x 19.7 in/ 65 cm x 50 cm.

• HMS Diane Marooned in Indonesia. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 50.8 cm x 76.2 cm.

• Study for “Boston Harbor c. 1812.” Colored pencil on tinted paper. 26 in x 19 in/ 66 cm x 48 cm.

• Clarissa Oakes. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm.

• Study for “Sea-Battle at Mauritius.” Colored pencil on tinted paper. 25.6 in x 19.7 in/ 65cm x 50cm.

• Cabo de Hornos. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm.

Diana Villiers. Colored pencil and collage on tinted paper. 25.6 in x 19.7 in/ 65cm x 50cm. Collection of the artist.

Alecto! Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm. NFS.

• Study for “Blue Hour in the Great Cabin of the HMS Surprise.” Colored pencil on tinted paper. 25.6 in x 19.7 in/ 65cm x 50cm.

• Battle with a Slaver. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm.

• Study for “Ship in the Strait of Gibraltar.” Colored pencil on tinted paper. 25.6 in x 19.7 in/ 65cm x 50cm.

• Captain Goldilocks in England. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.3 cm x 50.8 cm.

• Study for “The Dawn of the Saga.” Colored pencil with some gouache on tinted paper. 25.6 x 19.7 in/ 65cm x 50cm.

Death Approaches. Gouache and colored pencil on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm. Collection of Zoe, Rob, and Avery-Jane Riccio, Connecticut.

Sailors Tattooing. Gouache on cold-press illustration board. 30 in x 20 in/ 76.2 cm x 50.8 cm. Collection of the artist.