Born in Chichester, England in 1780, Charles Martin Powell was a self-taught artist, a fact which reflects great credit on him when one considers the beautiful draftsmanship and professional execution of his pictures.
Although it is known that Powell served his apprenticeship as a sailor, it is unclear as to whether or not he ever was a member of the Royal Navy. It is possible that he did join the Navy, or was press-ganged into service and subsequently absconded. A glance at the Royal Academy records between 1807 and 1821 indicates that he moved frequently, occupying no fewer than seven homes over a period of fourteen years, suggesting perhaps that he may well have been avoiding being retaken. It is also noticeable that Powell's subjects rarely feature naval vessels. When navel vessels appear in his paintings they are either in the distance or middle-distance of the composition, the foreground being given over to fishing craft and coastal vessels.
It seems unlikely that a marine artist as well known as Powell, with his necessary attachment to the sea, could have managed to escape being recaptured, if the British Navy wanted him in the ranks. It is more likely that there are other reasons to explain Powell's reluctance to settle down in one place for long. Perhaps it was a love for travel, for he traveled extensively, painting Plymouth, Southampton, Portsmouth and numerous subjects in the English Channel. He is known to have painted scenes in the Mediterranean and he visited Holland frequently --indeed, the Dutch marine artists provided much of his inspiration. His works fully reflects the traditional Dutch style of sea painting. Powell married and had eight children. All his recorded addresses were in London: Paddington, Soho, The Haymarket, Baker Street and Montague Square - locations which indicate fluctuating financial fortunes, however he ultimately died penniless at the age of 44.
Powell's London exhibits total 40, of which twenty-nine were at the Royal Academy (1807-1821) and 11 at the British Institution. Nearly all of the exhibited pictures were marines painted from nature. Although he never benefited from the financial security that a patron might have brought him, he was left free to paint whatever he wished in his own style.
Powell's work is not frequently offered for sale because ownership usually is guarded by collectors who have recognized that genuine knowledge of ships renders him superior to many of his contemporaries. Powell had a first-hand understanding of the sea and knew how boats move in water. He also used to great effect the dramatic play of light against dark, inspired by the 18th century Dutch masters. His work is to be found in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich; the Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
