Racing in the Solent: Six-metres close reaching in a steady breeze with their spinnakers set

Details

Montague Dawson, F.R.S.A., R.S.M.A. (Chiswick 1895-1973 Midhurst)
Racing in the Solent: Six-metres close reaching in a steady breeze with their spinnakers set
signed 'MONTAGUE DAWSON' (lower left))
oil on canvas
28 x 40 ¾ in. (71.1 x 103.5 cm.)

Provenance

with Frost & Reed, Ltd., London, no. 54444S.
with The Quester Gallery, Stonington, Connecticut, where purchased by the present owner.

Special notice

Artist's Resale Right ("Droit de Suite"). Artist's Resale Right Regulations 2006 apply to this lot, the buyer agrees to pay us an amount equal to the resale royalty provided for in those Regulations, and we undertake to the buyer to pay such amount to the artist's collection agent. These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Lot Essay

Six-metre yachts were a class of elegant racing keelboats. Although not identical, they were designed to meet a specific measurement formula, the International Rule of Measurement of Yachts, otherwise known as the Metre Rule, established in Europe in 1907. Chosen as an Olympic class in 1908, six-metre yachts had the reputation of being the most prestigious, international and elite class of the day. Undergoing a renaissance in the 1980s, many of these classic keelboats have been restored back to their former glory and there are now over 1,500 that race competitively today on the international circuit

The present work depicts a race during the 'Golden Age of Yachting' for keelboats, when some of the best sailors and designers competed for prestigious trophies. The yachts are seen close reaching in the Solent with their spinnakers flying in a steady breeze and the interplay of light and shade on the sails and sea and the high attention to detail is masterly. Despite Dawson's great fondness for yachting subjects, most of his output nevertheless features unnamed boats.

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