Seascape with Clippership by George Howell Gay, circa 1880s

Seascape with Clippership by George Howell Gay (American: 1858 – 1931), circa 1890, an oil on canvas bow view of a clippership under full sail, running with stun’sls and skysails set, on lively sea under blue cloudy sky, with a second square-rigger visible in the background, signed in the lower right, and titled on the reverse “Clipper Ship Before the Wind.” A beautiful and dramatic painting with a cool, brisk feel.

The painting is in fine condition, with one small patch along the upper margin and a tiny spot of corresponding inpainting.

Measures:24 in H x 20 in W
Framed: 29 in H x 25 in W

George Howell Gay was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and educated in Chicago under Paul Brown and Henry Elkins, and in 1889 moved to Bronxville, New York. He worked in all media, but was especially fond of watercolor, which allowed him to capture the transparency of the ocean and the luminous qualities of sunlight and clouds. Gay worked along the Northeastern coast from Rhode Island to Maine, but also painted summer and winter landscapes throughout New England.

Gay’s seascapes were exhibited at the Boston Art Club’s 1890 and 1900 annuals, at the National Academy of Design in 1900 and at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1897. He also had smaller shows in Indianapolis, and in department stores in New York and the Midwest (such as Gimbels, Wanamaker’s and Ayres).