Canaletto’s Greenwich Reimagined to Mark London Arrival of World’s Most Luxurious Expedition Yacht
Acclaimed British painter Tai Shan Schierenberg reinterprets celebrated Greenwich riverscapes to mark Scenic Eclipse
Press Release Disclaimer: This is a press release distributed through the XPR Media network. It has not been independently verified by our newsroom.
Acclaimed British painter Tai Shan Schierenberg reinterprets celebrated Greenwich riverscapes to mark Scenic Eclipse II’s first visit to the capital
MANCHESTER, UK / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2026 / The first London arrival of the world’s most luxurious expedition yacht is being commemorated with a major new artwork by acclaimed British painter Tai Shan Schierenberg.
The major new commission sees Schierenberg reinterpret Canaletto’s celebrated views of Greenwich, placing Scenic Eclipse II within the historic Thames scene almost three centuries after the Italian master first captured it.
Set against the unmistakable backdrop of the Old Royal Naval College, the commission brings together one of the world’s most advanced expedition vessels with the historic Thames landscape that became synonymous with Britain’s great age of maritime exploration.
The artwork will be unveiled when Scenic Eclipse II docks in front of the Old Royal Naval College on 31 July, marking the six-star discovery yacht’s first-ever visit to the capital and connecting Greenwich’s maritime past with a new age of exploration.
The finished work is a 120cm circular oil painting whose composition was inspired by Schierenberg’s research into the world of expedition yachting. Drawing on the circular forms of portholes and navigational instruments aboard Scenic Eclipse II, the format allowed him to frame both the yacht and the Old Royal Naval College within a single balanced composition.
Painted during Canaletto’s decade in Britain in the 1740s and 1750s, his celebrated Greenwich riverscapes captured the Thames at the height of London’s rise as a global trading power. Commissioned by wealthy patrons as symbols of status and sophistication, they have become defining images of Britain’s maritime heritage.
Tai Shan Schierenberg explains: “What interested me most about this commission was the artistic puzzle it presented. Bringing something as contemporary and dynamic as Scenic Eclipse II into one of Britain’s best-known historic river scenes wasn’t simply a matter of painting the yacht. It was about finding a composition where the old and the new could sit together naturally.
“The breakthrough came when I realised there were more connections between them than I first imagined. Greenwich Hospital was originally created as a place of hospitality before becoming a place of learning and discovery. Scenic Eclipse II is also a place of hospitality, built around exploration and discovery. Suddenly they began to feel like two chapters of the same story rather than opposites.
“What is extraordinary is how much of the landscape itself has endured. The Old Royal Naval College, the hillside rising towards the Royal Observatory and the sweep of the Thames remain remarkably recognisable almost three centuries later, even though the world around them has changed completely.
“Like a portrait, the yacht has its own personality. Its designers have poured so much thought into every line and every curve that you feel a responsibility to do right by their work. My hope is that the finished painting feels as though Scenic Eclipse II has always belonged within that remarkable Greenwich landscape.”
Schierenberg is one of Britain’s most respected contemporary painters, celebrated for his expressive portraits and landscapes. He is widely recognised by television audiences as a judge on Sky Arts’ Landscape Artist of the Year, while his major commissions include the official double portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Today, The University of Greenwich occupies the Old Royal Naval College depicted in Canaletto’s celebrated Greenwich riverscapes, giving it a unique connection to one of Britain’s most recognisable artistic and maritime settings.
Dr Vanessa Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Environmental History at the University of Greenwich, said: “Canaletto’s Greenwich was already a prestige site, transformed by royal patronage and the architecture of Inigo Jones, Christopher Wren, Nicholas Hawksmoor and John Vanbrugh. His paintings held up a flattering Venetian mirror to an ambitious London riverside.
“The Thames has always had a dual role, both as a highway for discovery and commerce and as a stage for spectacle. Rivers have lost none of that symbolic power over time, or their promise of new worlds.”
Nichola Absalom, Managing Director, Sales & Marketing at Scenic Group, said: “It is a real privilege to bring Scenic Eclipse II into London for the first time and to commemorate that arrival with a major new artwork by one of Britain’s most celebrated painters.
“Greenwich has long stood as a symbol of maritime ambition and exploration. Tai’s work beautifully captures that history while placing Scenic Eclipse II within a new chapter of discovery.
“To see the yacht moored in front of the Old Royal Naval College alongside this contemporary reinterpretation of one of Canaletto’s celebrated Greenwich riverscapes will be a truly special moment.”
Designed to explore everything from Antarctica and the Arctic to the Mediterranean and Caribbean, Scenic Eclipse II combines true expedition capability with the standards of a six-star private yacht experience.
One of only two yachts in the world equipped with two helicopters and a custom-built submersible, it also offers butler service for every suite, up to 10 dining experiences and a 550sqm spa and wellness sanctuary.
Scenic Eclipse II will arrive at Tilbury on 30 July before reaching Greenwich on 31 July, where the artwork will be unveiled during the yacht’s brief stay ahead of its onward voyage to Hamburg.
For cruise-lovers wanting a taste of ultra-luxury whilst immersing in unrivalled exploration, find out more here.
About Scenic Group
For 40 years, Scenic Group has redefined luxury travel, gaining global acclaim for its award-winning river cruises, yacht experiences, and curated land journeys. With a portfolio of renowned brands – Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises & Tours, and Mayflower Cruises & Tours – Scenic Group offers transformative, ultra-luxury experiences that provide unparalleled access to the world’s most breathtaking destinations across all seven continents.
Emerald Cruises & Tours continues to expand its fleet of river ships and luxury ocean yachts. Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara were recently been joined by Emerald Kaia in April 2026. The fleet will further grow with Emerald Raiya (2027) and Emerald Xara (2028), offering new boutique superyacht itineraries in warm-water destinations. Additionally, Emerald Astra will launch in 2026 as the 10th Emerald Star-Ship in the river fleet, followed in 2027 by Emerald Lumi.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours’ ultra-luxury river cruises span Europe and Southeast Asia, offering all-inclusive, five-star journeys. On the oceans, Scenic Discovery Yachts are pioneers in expedition and discovery cruising – blending exploration and indulgence with state-of-the-art yachts exploring remote polar regions and destinations across the globe, all while enjoying a truly all-inclusive experience.
Media Contact
SOURCE: Scenic
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
