It is subjectively proven that artistic inspiration strikes individuals in varied and unique ways. In this single painting, an appreciative audience may examine how the early luminous artist brought forth a work of accomplished artistic beauty from the subject matter of the rescue of a ship which has lost most of her rig. The sense is one of relief, not disaster, and further examination illustrates just how expertly Curtis was at portraying complex emotions with subtle suggestive touches.
The weather holds as a fair day with an ethereal fog lingering about while a coastal schooner takes passengers aboard. The danger of being stranded or even sinking has faded, and gone is the zephyr which demasted the sailing ship. The weather has turned so fair as to make it possible for a sailing barque and sidewheel steamer to continue on to their destinations beyond the two ships, which certainly are in view to the distressed ship at distance.
Curtis is considered a rising star of marine art; all quite unusual when it is marked that he painted more than 100 years ago. His re-emergence well established, his original takes on painting views of Boston area ships and harbors made him a local favorite then and a nationally sought after artist today. He is one of America's premier marine luminous artists.
