{"title":"10.26 Set Sail","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"decor-pour-la-princesse-lointaine-by-erte","title":"Décor pour La Princesse Lointaine by Erté","description":"Erté (Romain de Tirtoff)\u003cbr\u003e 1892-1990 | Russian-French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eDécor pour La Princesse Lointaine\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Erté” (center right)\u003cbr\u003e Inscribed “N°1634 \/ La Princesse lointaine \/ décor du 4e acte\"(en verso)\u003cbr\u003e Gouache on paper \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exuding the grandeur of a distant age, this design sets the scene for a medieval romance entitled \u003cem\u003eLa Princesse Lointaine\u003c\/em\u003e. Erté builds exceptional depth in the two-dimensional artwork by playing with light and shadow, overlaying large boats atop each other. The distant cityscape, rendered in purples and reds against a vivid sunset sky, further adds to the drama of the composition. Following the release of the eponymous play by Edmond Rostand, the phrase \u003cem\u003ela princesse lointaine\u003c\/em\u003e came to refer to the archetype of an unattainable or distant princess, often symbolizing an idealized and unreachable love. Erté’s choice of colors mirrors the romantic elements of the play while creating a sense of scale that elevates the performance. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The alliance between Erté and Paris's vibrant performing arts scene transported audiences to new heights throughout the early 20th century. Erté emerged as an unmatched and emblematic creative force whose visionary designs were imbued with an otherworldly appeal. His mesmerizing costume and set designs left an indelible imprint on operatic and theater productions of the period. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Russian-French visionary Romain de Tirtoff (1892-1990), popularly known as Erté, began his artistic journey in the culturally rich city of St. Petersburg, where he developed an early fondness for ballet and theatrical performances. He moved to Paris in 1912 to study architecture, and quickly found his creative niche in crafting fantastical costumes for the city’s bustling nightlife. Erté‘s expertise, refined under the guidance of the famed Paul Poiret, captured the attention of \u003cem\u003eHarper’s Bazaar\u003c\/em\u003e, marking the beginning of a significant partnership that spanned from 1915 to 1936. The artist also designed sets for notable cinematic masterpieces including \u003cem\u003eBen Hur\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eLa Bohème\u003c\/em\u003e, and created sets and costumes for cabarets, operas and other performances at the Folies-Bergères, Bal Tabarin, the Théâtre du Bataclan and Le Casino de Paris. Erté was a trailblazer whose colorful creations shaped the groundbreaking Art Deco era more than any other, leaving an indelible mark on the history of art and design. His artworks reside in prestigious museum collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Victoria \u0026amp; Albert Museum in London and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1930 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Paper: 10 1\/2\" high x 14 1\/4\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 16 3\/4\" high x 20 3\/4\" wide x 5\/8\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibitions:\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans, \u003cem\u003eErté and the Era of Art Deco\u003c\/em\u003e, October 14, 2023 - January 3, 2024 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection of Serge Leeman\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Paris\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41902631682183,"sku":"31-7597","price":18500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-7597_1_4e43b1e1-8070-433e-bc6b-e764c435fabb.png?v=1730881871"},{"product_id":"le-port-de-marseille-le-quai-et-les-cargos-by-henri-martin","title":"Le port de Marseille, le quai et les cargos by Henri Martin","description":"Henri Martin\u003cbr\u003e 1860-1943 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eLe port de Marseille, le quai et les cargos\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed Henri Martin (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exemplifying the masterful synthesis of Post-Impressionist technique with classical compositional precision, Henri Martin's \u003cem\u003eLe port de Marseille, le quai et les cargos\u003c\/em\u003e presents a vibrant panorama of industrial maritime life. This captivating harbor scene demonstrates Martin's virtuosic ability to translate atmospheric conditions into luminous color relationships that capture both place and moment with remarkable authenticity. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The composition features a sturdy quayside anchoring the foreground while cargo vessels create rhythmic vertical elements against the expansive Mediterranean horizon. Martin's characteristic brushwork—comprised of distinct strokes that allow colors to blend at viewing distance—creates a shimmering effect that perfectly evokes the interaction of light, water and industrial architecture. The artist's extraordinary command of color is evident in his nuanced transitions between the blue waters, rust-colored vessels and golden architecture that frames the bustling port. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Henri Martin began his formal artistic training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Toulouse before relocating to Paris in 1879 to study under academic painter Jean-Paul Laurens. His early adherence to conventional academic principles brought him recognition from the Paris Salon at the remarkably young age of 23. Following this early success, Martin was awarded a state-sponsored journey to Italy—an experience that would fundamentally transform his artistic vision. His encounters with the frescoes of early Renaissance masters Giotto and Masaccio prompted a profound reconsideration of light's expressive potential, catalyzing his gradual movement away from academic conventions toward the more progressive techniques of Impressionism.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Throughout his career, Martin experimented with various avant-garde pictorial strategies, producing significant works that incorporated elements of Divisionism, Symbolism and Pointillism while maintaining his distinctive artistic voice. His technical innovations and compositional sophistication earned him the Grand Prize at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle—confirmation of his established importance within the European art world. Today, Martin's works are represented in prestigious museum collections worldwide, including the Musée d'Orsay and the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Paris. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This work has remained within the artist's family collection since its creation and was displayed at the Musée Henri Martin in Cahors during the significant 1993 retrospective exhibition. It will also be included in the definitive catalogue raisonné by Marie-Anne Destrebecq-Martin. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1930 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 30\" high x 25\" wide (76.20 x 63.50 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 38 3\/4\" high x 31 3\/4\" wide x 2\" deep (98.43 x 80.65 x 5.00 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rau-sfimages.s3.amazonaws.com\/dossier\/Dossier_32-0726.pdf\" target=\"new\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eView the Dossier\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This painting was exhibited at The European Fine Art Fair. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Family of the artist, by descent\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Marseille\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibited:\u003cbr\u003e Henri Martin, Musée Henri Martin, Cahors, then Capitole, Toulouse, September 14 – October 29, 1993, reproduced in the exhibition catalog on p. 93, no. 86","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44585784377479,"sku":"32-0726","price":298500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-0726_1.png?v=1778527319"},{"product_id":"la-baie-de-lampaul-ile-d-ouessant-by-henry-moret","title":"La baie de Lampaul, île d’Ouessant by Henry Moret","description":"Henry Moret\u003cbr\u003e 1856–1913 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eLa baie de Lampaul, île d'Ouessant\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed and dated \"Henry Moret 97\" (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Inscribed \"La baie de Lampaul Ouessant\" (on stretcher)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Painted at the height of his career, Henry Moret's \u003cem\u003eLa baie de Lampaul, île d'Ouessant\u003c\/em\u003e stands as a supreme achievement among his celebrated Brittany seascapes. The shimmering azure waters, sun-warmed rock formations and luminous coastal light of the île d'Ouessant—one of Moret's most beloved and frequently revisited motifs—are rendered with a vibrancy and technical mastery that place this canvas among the finest examples of Post-Impressionist landscape painting available outside a museum collection. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The composition pulses with chromatic energy. The surface of the Bay of Lampaul is animated by hundreds of carefully layered brushstrokes, each contributing to the water's luminous, shifting character. Warm, orange-red rock formations emerge from the sea with geological weight, their earthen tones providing a vivid counterpoint to the brilliant blues and greens that dominate the scene. Fresh grass blankets the hillsides in rich, varied greens, while Moret weaves additional tonal accents throughout with a painter's instinct for harmony and contrast.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Henry Moret occupies a distinguished place in the Post-Impressionist tradition as one of the most accomplished painters to emerge from the celebrated Pont-Aven circle. His attachment to Brittany began during his military service and deepened through his close association with Paul Gauguin and the Nabis, whose bold approach to color permanently transformed his palette. The île d'Ouessant, perched at the western extreme of the Breton coast, became a defining subject in Moret's oeuvre — its ever-changing seas and skies offering an inexhaustible source of painterly inspiration. By 1897, when this work was executed, Moret had secured a pivotal relationship with the influential dealer Paul Durand-Ruel, who championed his work across Europe and the United States and presented him with a coveted solo exhibition in 1898. As fellow artist Maxime Mofra observed, \"Coasts, forests, valleys, in every season Moret observed them with all his senses, reproducing them with all his spirit and sincerity.\" Today, Moret's Brittany paintings are held by world-famous institutions, among them the Musée d'Orsay, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This work is listed in Jean-Yves Rolland’s archives and will be included in the catalogue raisonné currently in preparation. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Painted 1897 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 21\" high x 25\" wide (53.3 x 63.5 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 29 3\/8\" high x 33 1\/2\" wide x 3\" deep (74.6 x 85.1 x 7.6 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rau-sfimages.s3.amazonaws.com\/dossier\/Dossier_32-2137.pdf\" target=\"new\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eView the Dossier\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Galerie Abels, Cologne:\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Germany:\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, France:\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44003911794823,"sku":"32-2137","price":498500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2137_1.png?v=1785864039"},{"product_id":"collioure-by-yvonne-canu","title":"Collioure by Yvonne Canu","description":"Yvonne Canu\u003cbr\u003e 1921-2008 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eCollioure\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Canu\" (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Signed and titled \"Collioure\" (en verso)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The port of the southern French town of Collioure shines in this vibrant oil on canvas by Yvonne Canu. The revered artist's masterful command of Pointillism is on full display, with precise dots of pure color brilliantly coalescing to form a stunning work of art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The commune of Collioure was a favorite of many Post-Impressionists, and notably served as the birthplace of Fauvism during Henri Matisse and Andre Derain’s 1905 sojourn there. This composition, depicting the town’s iconic Notre-Dame-des-Anges, reveals Canu's sophisticated approach, with vibrant oranges and yellows perfectly complementing the rich blues that dance across the sky and water. Canu's use of meticulous points of pigment and vivid hues results in this breathtaking scene full of vitality and light. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Morocco in 1921, Yvonne Canu traveled to Paris to study at the reputable École des Arts Décoratifs. She entered the circle of the French-Japanese painter Tsuguharu Foujita and the Impressionist Élisée Maclet, both of whom profoundly influenced the development of her style. She experimented with not only the Impressionist style but also Cubism early in her career. However, it would be the great Georges Seurat who had the most impact on her artistic aesthetic. Inspired by the artist's masterpiece \u003cem\u003eA Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Grande Jatte\u003c\/em\u003e, Canu adopted Divisionism with the pointillist technique and made the style her own. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Late 20th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 19\" high x 23 3\/4\" wide (48.3 x 60.3 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 26 3\/4\" high x 30 3\/4\" wide x 2\" deep (68 x 78.1 x 5.1 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44932437999751,"sku":"32-2729","price":48500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2729_1_54e80f9b-a6f4-47ff-b1cc-99ddad9b77c0.png?v=1781889799"},{"product_id":"pilote-de-la-meuse-by-paul-signac","title":"Pilote de la Meuse by Paul Signac","description":"Paul Signac\u003cbr\u003e 1863–1935 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003ePilote de la Meuse\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed and dated \"P Signac 1924\" (lower right) Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Paul Signac stands among the great visionaries of modern art, celebrated as one of the pioneering forces behind Neo-Impressionism. Together with Georges Seurat, he revolutionized painting through a more deliberate and radiant science of color, replacing the spontaneity of Impressionism with a meticulous technique that allowed light and atmosphere to shimmer across the canvas. In \u003cem\u003ePilote de la Meuse\u003c\/em\u003e, painted in 1924, Signac brings this groundbreaking vision to one of his most beloved subjects: the waterways and wind-filled sails that inspired him throughout his life. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Created during Signac’s mature period, this painting reveals an artist at the height of his expressive powers. By the 1920s, his handling of color had become more vibrant, confident and decorative than ever before. Here, his signature mosaic-like brushwork is united with brilliant jewel tones, transforming a quiet river scene into something radiant and alive. The water flickers with movement, the sails seem to catch the air and the entire composition pulses with the sensation of light in motion. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The subject also reflects one of Signac’s greatest personal passions. A devoted sailor, he owned 32 boats over the course of his lifetime, and the rivers, harbors and open waters of France became central to his artistic vision. Rather than simply recording a view of the Meuse, Signac transforms the river into a dazzling symphony of color, rhythm and atmosphere. Every carefully placed stroke contributes to the harmony of the whole, revealing his extraordinary ability to balance structure with sensation. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Further distinguished by exceptional provenance, \u003cem\u003ePilote de la Meuse\u003c\/em\u003e remarkably retains rare archival materials relating to its earliest sale, including the original 1924 invoice from Galerie Léon Marseille as well as correspondence between its first owner, Edmond Sussfeld, and Signac himself. These documents offer an extraordinary connection to the painting’s earliest history and deepen the significance of an already rare work. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Masterwork oils by Signac are exceedingly rare on the market, as many already reside in the world’s most prestigious museums, including the Musée d’Orsay, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Radiant, refined and deeply personal, \u003cem\u003ePilote de la Meuse\u003c\/em\u003e is a remarkable example of Signac’s signature genius. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The painting is accompanied by its certificate of authenticity from Marina Ferretti-Bocquillon. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1924 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 19” high x 25 1\/8” wide (48.3 x 63.8 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 27 3\/4” high x 33 3\/4” wide x 3 1\/4” deep (70.5 x 85.7 x 8.3 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rau-sfimages.s3.amazonaws.com\/dossier\/Dossier_32-2689.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eView the Dossier\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Galerie Léon Marseille, Paris\u003cbr\u003e Collection of Edmond Sussfeld\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, by descent\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Europe\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e Françoise Cachin, Signac: Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre peint, Paris, 2000, no. 565, reproduced p. 323 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibited:\u003cbr\u003e Paris, 1930, Bernheim-Jeune, Paul Signac, no. 40, reproduced\u003cbr\u003e Paris, 1934, Petit-Palais, Paul Signac, no. 35\u003cbr\u003e Viroflay, 1965, Salon du Souvenir de Corot, 13th exhibition","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45113633210503,"sku":"32-2689","price":5450000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2689_1_7597d410-756b-4fce-a9d0-8e9c2d6bf36a.png?v=1790709647"},{"product_id":"rotterdam-scene-de-port-by-maximilien-luce","title":"Rotterdam, Scène de Port by Maximilien Luce","description":"Maximilien Luce\u003cbr\u003e 1858-1941 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eRotterdam, Scène de Port\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed and dated “Luce 1907” (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A luminous vision of modern life at the dawn of the 20th century, \u003cem\u003eRotterdam, Scène de Port\u003c\/em\u003e is an exceptional work by Maximilien Luce, one of the most important figures of Neo-Impressionism. Painted in 1907, the canvas captures the bustling energy of Rotterdam’s harbor through a dazzling harmony of turquoise, violet, blue and sea-green, transforming an industrial port into a scene of extraordinary atmospheric beauty. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Luce was uniquely suited to this subject. Throughout his career, he found poetry in the modern working world, depicting laborers, construction sites, factories, bridges, ports and city streets with uncommon dignity and brilliance. Rotterdam offered him the perfect union of the themes that defined his art. In this painting, smoke rises from the dark hull of a steamship in soft plumes of lavender and gray, while the harbor glimmers beneath a pale, expansive sky. Rather than presenting industry as harsh or mechanical, Luce renders it radiant and alive. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The Rotterdam subject also holds special significance within the history of Neo-Impressionism. In the spring of 1907, Paul Signac exhibited his monumental \u003cem\u003eLe Port de Rotterdam\u003c\/em\u003e, now in the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, at the Salon des Indépendants, inspiring renewed interest among avant-garde painters in the Dutch harbor. Later that year, Luce traveled to the Netherlands with Kees van Dongen, the Rotterdam-born Fauve artist, and produced a group of works inspired by the port and its surroundings. \u003cem\u003eRotterdam, Scène de Port\u003c\/em\u003e belongs to this important artistic moment, when the harbor became a modern subject worthy of the most advanced color theories of the age. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Paris in 1858, Luce first trained as a wood engraver before studying painting and joining the Neo-Impressionist circle in the 1880s. He exhibited with the Société des Artistes Indépendants and became closely associated with Seurat, Signac and Pissarro. Though he later adopted a broader and freer handling of paint, he remained committed throughout his career to brilliant color, modern subjects and the lives of working people. His works are held in major museum collections, including the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1907 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 20 3\/4\" high x 24 3\/4\" wide (52.7 x 62.9 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Framed: 28 1\/2\" high x 32 1\/2\" wide x 3\" deep (72.4 x 82.6 x 7.6 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Sale: Palais Galliera, Paris, 16th June 1961, lot 179\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Switzerland\u003cbr\u003e Sale of the above, Sotheby's, London, 29th March 1984, lot 535\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Kentucky, purchased at the above sale\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, USA\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Europe\u003cbr\u003e Stern Pissarro Gallery, London\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, London\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e Denise Bazetoux, \u003cem\u003eMaximilien Luce, Catalogue raisonné de l'œuvre peint\u003c\/em\u003e, Paris, 1986, vol. II, no. 1486, illustrated p. 366","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45147767734407,"sku":"32-2891","price":138500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2891_1.png?v=1790371216"},{"product_id":"blue-seas-the-maitland-by-montague-dawson","title":"Blue Seas—The Maitland by Montague Dawson","description":"Montague Dawson\u003cbr\u003e 1890–1973 | British \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eBlue Seas—The Maitland\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Montague Dawson\" (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A masterful celebration of the Victorian age of sail, \u003cem\u003eBlue Seas—The Maitland\u003c\/em\u003e captures the legendary tea clipper \u003cem\u003eMaitland\u003c\/em\u003e racing across open water with all sails set. Painted circa 1959 by Montague Dawson, one of the most celebrated marine artists of the 20th century, this commanding composition unites historical romance, nautical accuracy and extraordinary painterly drama. Launched in 1865, \u003cem\u003eMaitland\u003c\/em\u003e belonged to the golden era of the China tea trade, when the fastest clippers competed to bring the new season’s tea to London with unmatched speed and elegance. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dawson presents the vessel from a low, dramatic viewpoint, emphasizing the ship’s towering sail plan and creating a thrilling sense of scale. Cream-colored sails billow in the wind above the ship’s dark hull, while the sea below churns in brilliant passages of turquoise, cobalt and royal blue. The artist’s deft handling of the waves and cloud-flecked sky creates a luminous atmosphere, balancing the ship’s power with the grace and beauty that made the great clippers icons of maritime history. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The \u003cem\u003eMaitland\u003c\/em\u003e was ordered by John Kelso of North Shields and built at William Pile’s yard in Sunderland, launching on December 2, 1865. Registered at 799 tons and measuring 183 feet in length with a 35-foot beam, the vessel was designed for speed and stability, with composite construction and an unusually lofty sail plan that included moonsails above her standing skysails. Though short-lived, \u003cem\u003eMaitland\u003c\/em\u003e participated in the fiercely competitive tea trade, completing notable passages between Britain and China before she was wrecked on a coral reef north of New Caledonia in 1874. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Montague Dawson was uniquely suited to immortalize such a vessel. The grandson of marine painter Henry Dawson and the son of a keen yachtsman, he spent much of his childhood studying ships along Southampton Water. After serving in the Royal Navy during World War I, Dawson witnessed the surrender of the German Grand Fleet, and his illustrations of the historic event were published in \u003cem\u003eThe Sphere\u003c\/em\u003e, the influential British illustrated newspaper. He later continued his association with the publication during World War II, when he was employed as a war artist. Establishing himself as one of Britain’s foremost marine painters, Dawson specialized in historic ships, naval subjects and deep-water sailing vessels. By the 1930s, he was considered among the greatest living marine artists, with patrons including the British Royal Family and American Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson. His works are represented in important collections including the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich and the Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1959 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 27 1\/8” high x 47” wide (68.90 x 119.38 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 34” high x 47 3\/4“ wide x 2\" deep (86.36 x 121.29 x 5.08 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Sale, 1959, London, purchased directly from the artist in 1959\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, United States\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45151038210183,"sku":"32-2892","price":138500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2892_1.png?v=1788542477"},{"product_id":"destroyer-by-montague-dawson","title":"Destroyer by Montague Dawson","description":"Montague Dawson\u003cbr\u003e 1890–1973 | British \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eDestroyer\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Montague Dawson\" (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Montague Dawson captures the force of a naval destroyer driving through heavy seas in this dramatic grisaille oil. Waves break across the ship's bow as a dense column of smoke rises into the overcast sky. Painted almost entirely in shades of black, gray and white, \u003cem\u003eDestroyer\u003c\/em\u003e conveys the speed and power of the vessel with remarkable immediacy. Broad, energetic brushstrokes animate the churning water as the sharply modeled bow cuts through the swells. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The painting was almost certainly created for reproduction in the British illustrated newspaper \u003cem\u003eThe Sphere\u003c\/em\u003e, for which Dawson produced numerous wartime naval images. Its grisaille palette was ideally suited to the black-and-white printing process used by illustrated periodicals of the era. Through publications such as this, Dawson's dramatic images of naval warfare reached a wide wartime audience. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Although best known as one of the leading marine painters of the 20th century, Dawson was also an accomplished war artist. He contributed extensively to \u003cem\u003eThe Sphere\u003c\/em\u003e during both World Wars, translating contemporary naval events into powerful images for the illustrated press. His own naval service during World War I gave him firsthand knowledge of life at sea, while his command of ships, water and atmosphere made him especially suited to subjects such as \u003cem\u003eDestroyer\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1940 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 20 1\/8\" high x 30\" wide (51.1 x 76.2 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 26 1\/4\" high x 36 1\/4\" wide (66.7 x 92.1 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Sale: Frost \u0026amp; Reed, Ltd., London, 1969\u003cbr\u003e Private collection of Maurice Tempelsman, New York\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45812996604039,"sku":"32-2922","price":39850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2922_1.png?v=1788967247"},{"product_id":"the-great-view-of-venice-by-antoine-bouvard-sr","title":"The Great View of Venice by Antoine Bouvard Sr.","description":"Antoine Bouvard Sr.\u003cbr\u003e 1870–1956 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Great View of Venice\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed ‘Bouvard’ (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A luminous vision of Venice unfolds beneath a glowing evening sky in this highly refined oil painting by Antoine Bouvard Sr. Gondolas and sailboats glide across the lagoon toward a grand waterfront building, where a festive gathering appears to welcome the arriving boats against the warm, golden light of sunset. Bouvard captures Venice at its most atmospheric, creating the romantic sense of spectacle that made Bouvard's Venetian paintings so popular. The composition presents a westward view of Venice at sunset, emphasizing the city's celebrated relationship with light and water. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in France, Bouvard studied art and architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and subsequently served as Director of Architectural Services for the Seine while overseeing important construction projects in Paris. Alongside his professional architectural career, he developed a successful practice as a painter. In April 1930, Bouvard traveled to Venice, a visit that transformed the direction of his artistic career. Captivated by the city's architecture, waterways and light, he devoted himself thereafter to Venetian subjects. Later that same year, he met the Venetian painter Rubens Santoro, whose influence was integral to Bouvard's development as a painter of Venice. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bouvard also worked under the pseudonym Marc Aldine. This distinction appears to have been a matter of the artist's commercial relationships and intended markets rather than a difference in artistic style. Aldine was used for paintings sold to the French and tourist markets, while Bouvard was reserved for his British audience. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Few artists captured the romantic atmosphere of the Venetian lagoon as captivatingly as Bouvard. Preserved almost exclusively within private collections, his masterworks offer collectors a rare opportunity to acquire pieces that have remained deeply cherished across generations. Paintings such as \u003cem\u003eThe Great View of Venice\u003c\/em\u003e demonstrate his virtuosity, combining architectural training with a sensitive appreciation of light, translating the city's grand architecture, bustling waterways and atmospheric beauty into romantic and enduring visions of Venice still admired today. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1935 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 20 3\/4\" high x 28 1\/2\" wide (52.71 x 72.39 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Framed: 29 1\/5\" high x 37\" wide x 3\" deep (74.17 x 93.98 x 7.62 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, US\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45923677405319,"sku":"32-3190","price":39850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-3190_1.png?v=1790198414"},{"product_id":"the-flying-cloud-by-john-steven-dews","title":"The Flying Cloud by John Steven Dews","description":"John Steven Dews\u003cbr\u003e b. 1949 | British \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Flying Cloud\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed ‘J. Steven Dews’ (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on Canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This magnificent work by John Steven Dews brings to life the legendary 19th-century clipper ship \u003cem\u003eFlying Cloud\u003c\/em\u003e, one of the most celebrated vessels of the golden age of sail. Painted by one of today’s foremost maritime artists, the work unites a world-record-holding American vessel with Dews’ exceptional command of sea, sky and sail. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The ship appears alone on the open ocean at sunrise, angled across a gentle swell as warm light begins to spread along the horizon. Gently churning waves move beneath the vessel, while a light breeze fills its sails and carries it forward. The composition captures the quiet beauty of the setting while suggesting the speed and endurance that made the ship’s name legendary. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Designed by Donald McKay and launched in East Boston in 1851, the \u003cem\u003eFlying Cloud\u003c\/em\u003e was built for speed. During the California Gold Rush, the passage from New York to San Francisco could take more than 200 days, making a faster crossing a significant advantage. The \u003cem\u003eFlying Cloud\u003c\/em\u003e completed the journey in 89 days and 21 hours in 1851, then broke her own record three years later with a passage of 89 days and 8 hours. That record stood until 1989. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The \u003cem\u003eFlying Cloud’s\u003c\/em\u003e achievement was fundamentally Eleanor Creesy’s. At a time when women were rarely even educated, she learned navigation from her stepfather and uncle, master mariner John Prentiss, and studied the work of oceanographer Matthew Fontaine Maury. Creesy married Captain Josiah Perkins Creesy in 1841, and a decade later, they set out aboard the newly launched \u003cem\u003eFlying Cloud\u003c\/em\u003e to sail from New York to San Francisco, with Creesy as navigator. She tracked the ship’s position and guided her through storms, shifting currents, and the doldrums near the equator. Creesy’s achievements have since been recognized with her selection for the 2026 class of the National Sailing Hall of Fame. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Yorkshire in 1949, John Steven Dews is regarded as one of the foremost living maritime painters. An experienced yachtsman, he brings firsthand knowledge of sailing to his work, evident in the precise rendering of the rigging, the balanced movement of the vessel and the luminous treatment of sea and sky. Dews’ paintings have been commissioned by the Marine Board of New South Wales, the New York Yacht Club and the Royal Yacht Squadron. In \u003cem\u003eThe Flying Cloud,\u003c\/em\u003e history, atmosphere and technical precision come together in a compelling portrait of a ship that remains legendary under sail. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 29 1\/2“ high x 39 1\/2” wide (74.93 x 100.33 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Framed: 37 1\/2\" high x 47 3\/4\" wide x 1 3\/4\" deep (95.25 x 121.29 x 4.45 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45980042625159,"sku":"32-3232","price":198500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-3232_1.png?v=1790860815"}],"url":"https:\/\/rauantiques.com\/collections\/10-26-set-sail.oembed","provider":"M.S. Rau","version":"1.0","type":"link"}