catalog text
"SUNRISE - NORTH ATLANTIC", CLIPPER SHIP "HARVEST QUEEN" BY HENRY SCOTT (BRITISH, 1911-2005)
Signed lower left "Henry Scott", executed in oil on canvas; Christies labels retained verso
Item # 104AUG21E
The zig-zag of the rising sun striking the edges of clouds and lighting them with brilliant fire is viewed by early risers on the Harvest Queen, these passengers and crew members visible in the distance standing along her decks. Typical of Scott, the breeze can almost be felt and the swells of the water are so near, the motion helped along by his heavy impasto with intricate brushwork and complex layers of pigments. The sails are full and taut with a strong invisible breeze carrying the vessel forward as the water is whipped about the vessel. Darkness from the forward night casts its shadows across the sails, these being lit from behind with a brilliant translucent warmth. In his standard script, the work is signed lower left "HENRY SCOTT".
Note, we may have available in the gallery a fine pair to this painting of Henry Scott's "Sunset - Far Pacific" depicting the clipper "South Australian" of equal size and in a matched frame. Contact the gallery or review our current stock for availability.
HARVEST QUEEN
The American ship Harvest Queen was built in 1854 by William H. Webb weighing 1383 tons as a packer for the Black Ball Line. It was made infamous in the aftermath of the collision on December 31st of 1875 with the steamship Adriatic in the Irish Channel. The disaster occurred so quickly that not a soul was saved from the sinking vessel, having very nearly finished her long voyage from San Francisco before the Adriatic cut her down.
HENRY SCOTT, F.R.S.A (BRITISH, 1911-2005)
Renowned for his maritime scenes and coastal subjects, Henry Scott's paintings are often compared favorably with those of Montague Dawson. He exhibited with the Royal Society of Marine Artists from 1950 through 1966 and centered his career around painting well-known shipping portraits as a specialty. He further exhibited at the Royal Exchange in London, the Guildhall in London and The Royal Academy. He was made an honorary life member of the International Association of Master Mariners, known as the "Cape Horners".
Many of his paintings were completed as commissions for wealthy ship owners and his uncanny ability to capture movement, an atmospheric romance, dramatic billowing of winds and diffusion of sea-spray as well as his brilliant palette won him a great number of patrons. One such commission was his "Morning Cloud" in 1970, a vessel owned by then Prime Minister Edward Heath.
Provenance:
- Christies, New York, 08 March 2000, Sale 8347, Lot 273, achieved $ 7475 USD
Measurements: 14" H x 20" W [canvas]; 18 1/4" H x 24 1/2" W x 1 11/16" D [frame]
Condition Report:
Contemporary giltwood frame with minor edge wear; exceptional condition; surface is bright and clean; under UV examination, no apparent restoration or touchups.