MARINE ART NEWS ASMA's 10th National Exhibition Opens at Mystic
the energy of this tremendous vessel and its fractured, faceted planes, its shafts of flickering light, patterns of shadow and bursts of color." Although, sadly, working sail and the many colorful steam tugs, ferries and workboats which added so much character to the seas and ports have almost vanished, there is a continuing fascination for sea pictures of all kinds. Depictions of the men of the sea and on-board activities have proven of great interest to the collector and the museum-goer. Frank
fish, or marine flora-for these are now all part of the world of marine art. Neil Harpe's "Sooks and Jimmies," a 20"xl6" color lithograph, is an appealing and simple subject: a rendering of a basket of blue crabs, males and females (hence the title), a favorite delicacy in the Chesapeake area. The America 's Cup races, Tall Ship events, sai ling coverage on television, as well as recent publications on maritime history and art are all helping to stimulate interest in contemporary American marine art. American marine art is alive and flourishing. It has survived three hundred and seventy-five years, including not only the passing of the age of sail, the steamships, the golden era of yachting, but abstract art as well.
The Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut, is hosting the 10th National Exhibition of the American Society of Marine Artists in its prestigious R. J. Schaefer Gallery. This event takes place every three years and is noted for the quality as well as the technical accuracy of the work. Theexhibitcomprises nearly 90 pieces of juried original works including oils, watercolors, drawings, graphics and sculpture by Society members, and is open to the public through September 21, 1992. It is a must for admirers of contemporary marine art, offering a rich selection of traditional marine art subjects. Classic sail and seascapes abound, but marine art is no longer DENNIS BEAUMONT just ships, sea and shore, and even President, ASMA traditionalists are impressed with the quality and scope of work that is Full color exhibition catalogs, making the whole field of marine art "Coastal schooner Marian," watercolor by Victor Mays 9"xl2", 44 pages, are available at so dynamic. Mystic Seaport Museum or by mail Two pictures in particular capture the Handlen's "Wet Work at the Mizzen from: ASMA, 1461 Cathy's Lane, North breadth of style in this exhibition and Braces," a 41 "x41" oil-on-canvas is a Wales PA 19454; $14. typify what is happening in marine art powerful example of such a work. Exhibitions today. One is Victor Mays' "Coastal Handlen notes, "I chose to symbolize the Schooner Marian," a 20"x28" water- unremitting toil demanded of men in •April 25-0ctober 11, The Great Age color. This work depicts a long-gone steel ships with their huge steel masts, of Sail: Treasures from the National working schooner, once a common sight each arrayed with a complex network of Maritime Museum at the San Diego in every port, departing Clinton, Con- lines and sails needed to drive three Museum of Art, comprises some eighty necticut, on the morning tide, after dis- thousand and more tons of hull in ex- paintings, including works by Canaletto, charging coal. The historic subject mat- tremes of weather." Turner, William Van de Velde, Hogarth ter executed in an expertly detailed manRichard Loud's "H.M.S. Rose," a 35" and Copley. San Diego Museum of Art, ner illustrates technical accuracy that x50" oil, is a delightful example of what 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego requires painstaking remost collectors want in CA 92101. Other venues: November21, search. The light, figa ship's portrait. Ex1992-January 17, 1993, Chrysler Muures, activity and sense ecuted in a strikingly seum, Norfolk VA; February 28-J une 2, of movement bring the sharp, arresting style, 1993, Peabody Museum, Salem MA. work to life. the magnificent man-of- •May 3-January 3, 1993, The Maritime The other picture is war is depicted running Art of A. De Clerck, an exhibit of the Donald Stoltenberg ' s before the wind. The late 19th-century Belgian pierhead colorful and dramatic work was commis- painter. Maine Maritime Museum, 243 "Queen Mary ," a 6l"x sioned by the H.M.S. Washington Street, Bath ME 04530. 37" oil painting on canRose Foundation. • May 22-September 21, 10th ASMA vas. Stoltenberg notes, Today, much contem- National Exhibition of Marine Art, at "in painting an object porary marine art does the R. J. Schaefer Gallery, Mystic Seaof such fame and fanot depict a vessel or port Museum, Mystic CT 06355. miliarity, I felt I must the seas which they sail •July 31-0ctober 31 , Born from Coastbreak through that upon. Sailing ships and ing: The Marine Art of John F. Leavitt familiarity to jolt the seascapes, while still a (1905-74), an exhibit of watercolor paintviewer with as fresh and mainstay of marine art, ings, drawings, sketches, and oils by the unusual a depiction as are not its sole scope. schoonerman, yacht broker and former possible." Two aspects Today's marine artist associate curator at Mystic Seaport Muwere involved in his A dramatic ship portrait: "Queen may depict less classi- seum. Maine Maritime Museum. solution: "first, the Mary" by Donald Stoltenberg cal subjects: tugs, •September 27-November 8, 13th Anviewpoint of the ship workboats, ferries and nual Mystic International, to be judged itself, and, secondly, the treatment, sug- oreboats, or he or she may choose to by Walter Cronkite and Ray Ellis. Mysgesting the movement, the tension and portray marine creatures-mammals or tic Maritime Gallery, Mystic CT 06355. 30
SEA HISTORY 62, SUMMER 1992