The premier artist of yacht racing in the south of England, Arthur Wellington Fowles captures the victory of the Cutter SPHINX in the first regatta of the Royal Albert Yacht Club in 1866, winning the Albert Cup.
SPHINX was a 47 ton cutter owned by H.C. Maudslay. Besides winning the Albert Cup, the yacht is best known as the first to commonly sail with a spinnaker. Some yachting historians believe the word spinnaker is based on a common mispronunciation of the yacht's name as "Spinx" or that her crew called the new sail the "Sphinxacre" and the word evolved from there, though that's only one of a few theories on its origin.
In this painting the yacht's captain and crew are being saluted by three men in a small boat, while the entourage aboard the yacht club's excursion steamer enthusiastically fire the victory gun and probably begin settling wagers, all beneath the club's Special Blue Ensign. Established as the Albert Yacht Club in 1864, gaining the "Royal" status the next year, it joined with Portsmouth's Royal Naval Club in 1971. It has enjoyed the patronage of kings and officers throughout its history. The club's namesake was an avid yachtsman and member.
The founding of the club and its races extended the usual season in the Solent for larger yachts to three weeks with the Southsea races coming after established events at Cowes and Ryde.
SPHINX is shown at the finish in the Eastern Solent. A Portsmouth fort is in view on the elevated headland, most probably Southsea Castle. Fowles was the master of painting yachts racing on the Solent and he recorded these events equal to James E. Buttersworth's scenes of the America's Cup. This painting is a great snapshot of an important period yacht racing scene, done in fine detail by the accomplished artist.
Housed in its magnificent original regilded period frame. Inches
