William G Yorke (1817-1892)
Oil on canvas portrait of ther American two masted Schooner John L. Merrill Signed and dated lower left ""Wm G. Yorke 1878"". The appears to be a bright and sunny day with good breeze filling the bellowing sales. The painting is one of York’s better American works and shows the vessel in excellent detail. The standing and running rigging are very accurately rendered as is the hull and deck. Flying from the top of the fore mast is a blue flag with the vessel’s initials “JLM” From the main mast is a triangular white banner with the name John L. Merrill written out and flying off the gaff is the American flag.
At the horizon to the left is a two masted schooner and to the right sailing toward the viewer a two masted Brigantine. There are six crew members spread around the deck including a black man by the rail just aft of the fore mast. Attached to the back of the frame I William G Yorke’s printed business card with the hand written notation “Ship Portrait painter”
Condition: The painting was recently cleaned and lined by Tom Yost of Yost Restoration
Dimensions of Painting: Height 24 Inches, Width36 Inches
Dimensions of Frame: Height 32 3/4, Width 42 5/8