A colorful palette combined with a feathery brush technique mark this action filled image of two Grand Banks schooners rounding a mark in the International Fisherman's Races off Lunenberg, Nova Scotia. Their top hampers full and straining with the press of wind filled canvas, the American and Canadian competitors define the meaning of the schooner term "fast and able".
The first of these popular fishing schooner races began in 1920 after a challenge was sent to Gloucester by the Halifax Herald. The Essex built ESPERANTO was selected to challenge the Canadian champion DELAWANA. With a hand picked crew, ESPERANTO sailed to victory and the beginning of an 18 year rivalry that produced some of the most exciting races in history.
Beal's use of color is outstanding in this work, highlighting the play of light and shadow on sails and sea. The crews and ships are rendered in shadowy tones with bold lines which give structure and a feeling of solidity while the skies open up above with softer tones and more classically French Impressionistic touches.
This expressive work captures all the nostalgia of an era that glorified the American fishing schooner. Built to spend the entire fishing season at sea and then utilize their great speed to be first in with the catch, these yacht-like vessels combined beauty and a hardworking seaworthiness that marked the apex of commercial sail and an exciting chapter in yacht racing.
