This exceptional book is the first biography of the superior marine painter, Dominic Serres R.A. and is the result of extensive research. It is the story of an artist who, after being brought to England as a prisoner-of-war, became the most dominant marine painter of his era. Granted naval patronage, he played his part in a crucial period of development in British painting and of growing national awareness through colonial wars in the Americas and worldwide. Serres recorded national events and naval engagements, and chronicled the naval history of epic years in prints and paintings. Dominic Serres R.A. -- War Artist to the Navy contains the latest examination of the artist's life and work, and extensive picture research demonstrated with hundreds of lavish colour plates and exceptional black and white illustrations. The first in-depth study of artistic patronage by naval commanders is documented here and their actions are set in historical context. In addition to the wealth of information concerning Serres' work, the reader is provided with a comprehensive view of the artist as his life, family and close friendships are discussed. Over 200 reproductions of Serres' work have been assembled -- work that began as landscapes and evolved into predominantly large maritime oils and canvases. Although Serres remained a landscapist at heart, this beautiful book, saturated with incomparable illustrations, proves that he was truly one of the foremost marine painters. 79 colour & 120 b/w illustrations