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Item ID :PA0673
Drew, Clement Attr. (American 1806-1889) Oil on canvas, depicting yachts racing in Boston Harbor, attributed, circa 1850. At the center is a black-hulled two masted schooner with raked mast and a main topsail (a rig similar to yacht America). To the left is a black-hulled topsail sloop on the same tack apparently racing the schooner. Both yachts are heeled over and are sailing in parallel. Neither yacht is flying its topsail because there is a stiff breeze. The water is painted in Drew's typical style with contrasting light and dark green, wispy white crests at the peak of the waves. The waves are blowing up the starboard bows of each vessel. Along the right horizon there is a spit of land with a rise which is the city of Boston featuring the dome of the state capital at the top of Beacon Hill. There are other vessels sailing in the distance near the shore. The top section of sky is bright blue with wispy white clouds. Along the horizon are billowing clouds with some threatening grey and purple shading. This painting is an excellent example of Drew's early work. The rendering of the vessels and the treatment of sky and water is typical of his work. This painting however is larger and brighter than most known examples of his work. This is one of the few known examples which feature yacht racing and a known topographical location. (PA-673) Reference: Brewington, M.V. and Dorothy, "The Marine Paintings and Drawings in the Peabody Museum," Salem, Massachusetts: The Peabody Museum of Salem, 1968, pp. 102-109. There are approximately thirty paintings, mostly attributed to Clement Drew described and illustrated on these pages. Condition of painting: The painting retains its original stretcher. It was conserved around 2005. At the time the painting was cleaned and lined, some of the larger surface cracks were in-painted in the sky, sails and water. Condition of frame: The painting has a nineteenth-century style cove fluted frame. The top surface of the frame and liner has a gold colored metal leaf surface.
Dimensions of painting: 22 x 30.
Dimensions of frame: 31 x 38 3/4.
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