The Manx National Heritage has acquired a remarkable 18th-century oil painting that offers a unique window into the Isle of Man's seafaring history. The nearly 250-year-old portrait, painted by Arthur Davis around 1780, depicts Major Paul Crebbin, a young Manxman who would go on to achieve distinction in the marine corps, which later became the Royal Marines.
The painting shows Crebbin at approximately 17 years old, marking his entry into military service. After being held by the same family for over 200 years, this exceptional piece has now joined the island's national collection. According to Matthew Richardson, art and social history curator at Manx National Heritage, the painting "tells us a great deal of how young men of this era were making their way through the world."
Major Paul Crebbin came from humble beginnings as the son of a clergyman in Santon on the Isle of Man. Despite his modest background, Richardson explains that "through his own merit, his own achievements, his own bravery, he rose quite high to the rank of major." Crebbin's military career spanned some of the most significant conflicts of his time, including service in the American War of Independence and the Napoleonic Wars.
Tragically, after surviving numerous dangerous naval battles throughout his career, Crebbin met his end in 1819 while returning home to visit his family. Richardson recounts that "having fought through all these battles at sea when his life was in danger, he was returning home by ship in 1819 to see his family [when it] sank in a storm and he drowned."
The commissioning of such portraits served multiple purposes in the 18th century. The oil painting would have commemorated Crebbin's entry into the marines, serving as both a milestone marker and a keepsake for his family, who would likely not see him for extended periods during his military service. While Richardson notes that portraits like this were "probably pretty common" at the time, he emphasizes that "only a handful have come to us today over the ravages of time as they get lost or destroyed." The Royal Marines Museum has described Major Crebbin's portrait as "extremely rare."
The historical significance of this painting extends far beyond documenting one individual's military career. Richardson emphasizes that Crebbin "is indicative of a much wider tradition of seafaring in this era among Manx people." The portrait captures a pivotal period when the Royal Navy was rapidly expanding during the American War of Independence, and the relationship between the Isle of Man and naval service was evolving.
Traditionally, seafaring Manx people had been pressed into Royal Navy service against their will. However, during Crebbin's era, there was a "change in outlook where young men would see it as a career," Richardson explains. The financial incentives were substantial, as naval service offered opportunities for prize money. "If you took part in an enemy capture, that ship would become a prize of war [and] would be worth a lot of money, and you would be given a share of that," Richardson notes.
The Isle of Man's contribution to naval warfare during this period was remarkable. Contemporary newspapers indicated that every vessel in the Royal Navy had a Manxman on board, highlighting the island's crucial role in British maritime power. Richardson describes this as "a dramatic time in history where the groundwork of the modern world is being established," adding that "The Isle of Man played a crucial part in that."
The painting has undergone careful conservation work, with cleaning and retouching funded by the Manx Lottery Trust to restore it to its original condition. Currently, visitors can view the portrait in the Temporary Exhibition Gallery at the Manx Museum. In the spring, it will be relocated to the Mann at War Gallery, where it will be displayed alongside uniforms from the historic battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo.
Richardson concludes that the acquisition represents more than just adding another artwork to the collection. "It is a powerful and inspiring addition to the national collection, not only capturing the image of a young Manxman at the start of a distinguished military career, but also connecting us to history through his own words," he states. One of Crebbin's letters has also survived, providing additional insight into his experiences and further enriching the historical record of Manx maritime heritage.
