A dynamic action painting, this portrait of British 12-Meter Racing Yacht SCEPTRE in pursuit is a striking view of a beloved vessel. SCEPTRE, built for a consortium in Alexander Robertson's yard in Holy Loch, Argyll, Scotland, was partially inspired by British success at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. SCEPTRE, with sailing designation K17, would soon became the first racing yacht to challenge for the America's Cup since 1937.
Crisp lines and coloration abound in this scene, an 1981 dated work by Thimgan already possessing his great attention to detail and superior composition. Raked with speed and showing the crew working onboard, SCEPTRE has her competitor in sight and closing. Her first race was in a trial against EVAINE nine days after her April 2, 1958 launching, and by summer she was headed to Newport, Rhode Island to compete against American defender COLUMBIA of the New York Yacht Club. In defeat, SCEPTRE's decent showing and enthusiasm help rekindle worldwide interest in International Yacht racing.
The racing yacht would go on to be owned in the 1960s by Eric Maxwell, who sold her in 1971 to Edward King, and then she was acquired by Tony Walker of Lytham, who restored the 12-metre yacht over years to perfection. Once undertaken, Walker helped found the Sceptre Preservation Society in 1986, who still own and operate the yacht today. This excellent painting serves as a elegant memento to the history of 12-metre international yacht racing.
