Solent One Racers cut across the rolling waves in this striking work by master maritime artist Montague Dawson. These are racing on the Solent, the strait between the Isle of Wight and the English mainland.
The Solent One Design was one of the first One Design classes created. 22 were built between 1896 and 1897 for members of the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Island Sailing Club. Here, there is a fair wind running against the tide, filling their sails but creating more turbulence on the water- a typical afternoon sailing on the Solent. These yachts are rounding Lepe Mark, on the Hampshire coast.
Today, only one of the Solent Ones remains on the water, still racing on the Solent for which it was designed. We've been told by someone that has sailed on her that Dawson has exactly captured both the yacht under sail and the character and color of the sea with brilliant blues and bold brushstrokes.
Yachting scenes are among Dawson's most sought after works. With an active sea, brilliant sky and the close view of the sailors in the main cutter, this example has key aspects which are most desired by collectors of Dawson's works, making this one of the best we have seen.
