“Illuminating the Sea: The Marine Paintings of James E. Buttersworth, 1817‱894,” a major retrospective exhibition highlighting the work of famed Nineteenth Century marine artist James Edward Buttersworth, is on view at the Bruce Museum through July 5.
A ship portraitist who meticulously illustrated America’s Golden Age of Sail, Buttersworth has long been recognized as a premier marine artist distinguished by his story-telling prowess, as well as his meticulous attention to detail with the brush and pallet. He began his career in England studying under his father, Thomas, himself a respected marine artist. In the late 1840s, the younger Buttersworth emigrated to the United States and became immersed in chronicling the maritime world of New York.
Upon his arrival, Buttersworth experienced America at the height of the Golden Age of Sail and steam transportation. Ships and boats were the principal means of transportation, and their owners, builders and shipmasters were the celebrities of the day.
Buttersworth captured all this on his canvas and became one of the most prolific marine artists of the Nineteenth Century. His paintings detailed packet ships, ocean steamships, clipper ships, naval frigates, harbor craft and most especially, the glamorous world of American yachting.
In the 1850s, Buttersworth contributed numerous paintings and sketches to Currier & Ives depicting famous vessels and marine disasters for their popular lithographs. His clipper ship views, many of which were published as lithographs, and his America’s Cup race paintings are widely respected for their combination of artistic and documentary qualities.
Organized by the Mystic Seaport Museum, the 28 paintings in the exhibition span Buttersworth’s entire career, including the America’s Cup series, which were completed a year before his death. The Bruce Museum exhibition also includes a few paintings from two private collectors and scale models of the American Cup ships Valkyrie and Puritan .
Public programs being presented at the Bruce Museum in conjunction with the exhibition include “Set Sail on Long Island Sound,” which features sail painting and environmental workshops, on Sunday, June 14.
The Bruce Museum is at 1 Museum Drive. For information, www.brucemuseum.org or 203-869-0376.
