Lot Essay
Among James Buttersworth's most celebrated marine paintings are his depictions of classic yacht races. With the painting's dramatic sky, stormy sea and exacting depiction of vessels in the heat of competition, 'Gracie,' 'Vision,' and 'Cornelia' Rounding Sandy Hook in the New York Yacht Club Regatta of June 11, 1874 demonstrates Buttersworth's mastery of this genre.
The sport of yachting attracted many wealthy entrepreneurs during the late nineteenth century, as it required considerable means to race and compete successfully--boats were expensive to build and maintain in top condition, and they were usually sailed by professional crews. Yachting became an attractive sport for these very reasons for many wealthy Americans during the Gilded Age, and the centers of yachting were undeniably the waters off the coast of New York, Newport and the north shore of Massachusetts. James Buttersworth was the painter of choice to record the important races and vessels of these well-to-do yachtsmen.
'Gracie,' 'Vision,' and 'Cornelia' Rounding Sandy Hook in the New York Yacht Club Regatta of June 11, 1874 depicts a memorable race between several New York Yacht Club vessels that took place off Sandy Hook during the club's regatta of June 11, 1874. The regatta and the participants are well documented, and Buttersworth's exacting details of weather conditions, vessels and pennants provide further historical evidence of the race.
The pennant on the lead yacht is that of John R. Waller, owner of the centerboard sloop Gracie, which was designed and built in 1868. Gracie was distinguished by a white hull and light colored paint below the waterline as well as gold-leafed raised filigree around the hawser hole in the bow--all of which are visible in Buttersworth's composition.
The second yacht is the sloop Vision, Gracie's archrival, which was owned by J. J. Alexandre, who later served as Vice Commodore of the New York Yacht Club. The third yacht seen in the distance at the far left of the composition is the wooden centerboard schooner Cornelia, owned by Dr. Joseph Vondy of Jersey City and built by James McGarrick in 1873.
The race between these yachts was noted in the press, including The New York Times and The New York Daily Tribune: "The race was sailed in a stiff breeze, and a wild sea with squalls in the air. Great cloud-banks, black with storm were rolling over the scene. The race, shortly after the start, divided into a number of interesting contests, the chief of them between Gracie and Vision. When the Lightship was reached the sun struggled through and a patch of blue was to be seen here and there. The Gracie, in the lead, came rushing around the vessel; upon turning, her sheets were eased off and she went flying on the home stretch, almost leaping from the water. The turning of the Lightship was the finest sight that had been seen at a regatta for many a year." Buttersworth has captured the excitement of the race, highlighting the swift vessels against the high seas, dramatic sky of stormy clouds and patches of blue sky.
Extensive documentation regarding the vessels' pennants, the regatta of June 1874 and the painting's history accompanies the lot.
The sport of yachting attracted many wealthy entrepreneurs during the late nineteenth century, as it required considerable means to race and compete successfully--boats were expensive to build and maintain in top condition, and they were usually sailed by professional crews. Yachting became an attractive sport for these very reasons for many wealthy Americans during the Gilded Age, and the centers of yachting were undeniably the waters off the coast of New York, Newport and the north shore of Massachusetts. James Buttersworth was the painter of choice to record the important races and vessels of these well-to-do yachtsmen.
'Gracie,' 'Vision,' and 'Cornelia' Rounding Sandy Hook in the New York Yacht Club Regatta of June 11, 1874 depicts a memorable race between several New York Yacht Club vessels that took place off Sandy Hook during the club's regatta of June 11, 1874. The regatta and the participants are well documented, and Buttersworth's exacting details of weather conditions, vessels and pennants provide further historical evidence of the race.
The pennant on the lead yacht is that of John R. Waller, owner of the centerboard sloop Gracie, which was designed and built in 1868. Gracie was distinguished by a white hull and light colored paint below the waterline as well as gold-leafed raised filigree around the hawser hole in the bow--all of which are visible in Buttersworth's composition.
The second yacht is the sloop Vision, Gracie's archrival, which was owned by J. J. Alexandre, who later served as Vice Commodore of the New York Yacht Club. The third yacht seen in the distance at the far left of the composition is the wooden centerboard schooner Cornelia, owned by Dr. Joseph Vondy of Jersey City and built by James McGarrick in 1873.
The race between these yachts was noted in the press, including The New York Times and The New York Daily Tribune: "The race was sailed in a stiff breeze, and a wild sea with squalls in the air. Great cloud-banks, black with storm were rolling over the scene. The race, shortly after the start, divided into a number of interesting contests, the chief of them between Gracie and Vision. When the Lightship was reached the sun struggled through and a patch of blue was to be seen here and there. The Gracie, in the lead, came rushing around the vessel; upon turning, her sheets were eased off and she went flying on the home stretch, almost leaping from the water. The turning of the Lightship was the finest sight that had been seen at a regatta for many a year." Buttersworth has captured the excitement of the race, highlighting the swift vessels against the high seas, dramatic sky of stormy clouds and patches of blue sky.
Extensive documentation regarding the vessels' pennants, the regatta of June 1874 and the painting's history accompanies the lot.