Hyland Granby Antiques

James E. Buttersworth, "Rounding the Buoy"- Price Upon Request

James E. Buttersworth
(American 1817-1894) 
Oil on canvas, titled "Rounding the Buoy", signed lower right "J E Buttersworth", American, circa 1875. The painting depicts a dramatic New York Yacht Club schooner race.  The boat in the foreground that is approaching the Southwest Spit marker which is probably the finish line with the blue and white signal flag is possibily Dreadnought, the 117-foot schooner yacht owned by A.B. Stockwell. This black hull schooner is sailing in a strong breeze and her sails are full and she is heeling to port.  Buttersworth has painted her foresail which is being lowered and is fluttering in the heavy wind as is her foretopsail.  Rear of the mast, one of the standing crew members is pointing and seemingly shouting orders to his crew mates.  Behind the principal vessel, there is a schooner with a red and white private signal which is sailing on a similar tack but under full sail.  Along the horizon there are two trailing schooners sailing in the opposite direction.  The sea and sky are beautifully painted with dramatic color accentuating the excitement of the day.  The sky has billowing clouds which are ominous at the horizon and lighten as they progress to the top of the canvas where bright blue and pink emerge through the clouds.  The sea depicts white-cap rolling waves and to the right the red in the Southwest Spit buoy helps to ground and balance the image while rendering additional intense color. (PA-809) 
Condition of painting:  Refer to condition report by Yost Restoration. Condition of frame:  The frame appears to be original to the painting.  The frame has been recently restored but retains most of its original gold leaf surface. 
Reference:  Granby, Alan and Janice Hyland, "Flying the Colors  The Unseen Treasures of Nineteenth-Century Ameri-can Marine Art,"  New York: Mystic Seaport, 2009, p.209.  The painting described above has many similarities to the Buttersworth seen on page 209 depicting schooners racing. 
Note:  The historical research regarding this painting was prepared by the noted yachting scholar, Llewellyn Howland. Provenance:  This painting has been in the collection of Tom Watson (IBM), and then to his estate where it hung in his home in North Haven Island, Maine. 
Dimensions of painting:  12 1/2 x 16 1/2 inches. Dimensions of frame:  20 1/8 x 23 7/8 inches.