Battling the pitch and roll of the vast ocean, a solitary clipper crests the horizon swell as she runs with the wind in this early work by Montague Dawson. His innate skill at portraying high seas drama combined with realistic sky, sea and dead-accurate ships is universally marveled at by sailors and art afficionados alike.
Painted in the late 1920s, this work was exhibited at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in London and has a partial label remaining verso, with the Number 1094. Its most wonderful coloration and unique subject presentation assuredly assisted Dawson's recognition as one of the world's leading marine artists. By the 1930s he recognized and defined his own style as "growing more and more loose" in atmosphere, while rigorously attending to the nautical details.
Work by the artist continues to be in great demand. Those which contain the dramatic sky and active sea conditions present in this painting are highly desirable. Although printed records about Dawson's work offer little clue to the actual ship portrayed in this painting, we can confidently assume the artist would have had a specific subject in mind. First and foremost, he said that he painted for enjoyment, to live "in that moment of time" which he so expertly portrays on canvas.
Provenance: Gifted by the Artist to the Previous Owner's Father, Dawson's Accountant in 1930.
