MARINE ART NEWS Buttersworth in the Chesapeake
Mystic Exhibits
From naval ships and clippers to yachting scenes and ships in stormy seas, "The Cold Green Sea and the Sky: Paintings by Thomas and J. E. Buttersworth," on display at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, celebrates the American maritim e experience. The differences in Thomas 's precise renditions and his son Jam es' s more stylized interpretations illustrate the evolution of marine art, from static ship portraits to a more fluid use oflight, design and movement. Thomas Buttersworth (1768-1842) served in the Royal Navy for five years, which left him with an intimate knowl"An American Frigate in Distress ," by James E. Buttersworth , edge of British waroil on millboard, 8 1/2" x11 3/4". (Photo by Paulette Barton) ships and naval engagements. His son, James Edward (1817-1894 ), became better known, finding his subjects in the fast clippers being built in America, hi s adopted country, for the Gold Rush and scenes of increasingly popular yachting races. James painted vessels in dramatic situations and from different angles, and used light in new ways , taking marine art beyond the ship portraits done by his father and his colleagues. The 18 paintings on view at the museum are from the collection of the Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport, Maine, and the exhibit was developed in cooperation with the Penobscot museum, with a grant from the Grayce B. Kerr Fund. It will run from 8 November to 26 April. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Mill Street, PO Box 636, St. Michaels MD 21663 ; 410 745-2916
To close out the year, Mystic Maritime Gallery will display the works of three prominent American maritime artistsmodelmaker Alan Burghardt and painters William Duffy and David Thimgan. The exhibit, which runs from 15 Novemberto 31 December, is supplemented by a collection of small works by gallery artists in a range of sizes and prices. And keep your eyes open for works by the following artists: Marek Sarba, Wendell Mohr, Victor Mays, Ralph Bush, David Thimgan, Marc Berthier, Anne-Emmanuelle Marpeau, Tingbo Guang, and Yoko Gaydos. They all were award winners in the 1997 Mystic International, which has just closed at the Gallery. Mystic Maritime Gallery, Mystic Seaport Museum Stores, Mystic CT 063556001; 860 572-5388
Regional Exhibition of ASMA in Philadelphia Independence Seaport Museum is hosting the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) Regional Exhibition for the Mid-Atlantic area in Philadephia from 15 November through 12 April. The 36 new works of art in media including oil, watercolor, acrylic, drawings and sculpture, feature local scenes, ranging from the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the bustle of the Port of Philadelphia to oyster dredging on the Chesapeake and containerships unloading in Wilmington, Delaware. Peter Stanford, president of the National Maritime Historical Society, was the featured speaker at the members ' preview on 13 November and, after his lecture, he led a walking tour of the exhibit with Curator Mark Isaksen. IndependenceSeaport Museum, 211 South Columbus Boulevard& Walnut Street, PhiladelphiaPA 19106; 215 925-5439 "Dawn on the Delaware," by Jack Coggins, oil on canvas
SEA HISTORY 83, WINTER 1997-98
EXHIBITIONS • Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum: 8 November-26April 1998, 'The Cold Green Sea and the Sky: Paintings by Thomas and J. E. Buttersworth" (PO Box 636, Mill Street, St. Michaels MD 21663; 410 745-2916) • Cummer Museum of Art: 20 November28 February 1998, "Romancing the Sea," 11th National Exhibition of the American Society of Marine Artists (829 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville FL 32204; 904 356-6857) •Independence Seaport Museum: 15 November-12 April 1998, Mid-Atlantic Regional Exhibition of the American Society of Marine Artists (211 S. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia PA 19106-3199; 215 925-54 39) • Kurt E. Schon, Ltd Fine Art Gallery: 5 September-2February 1998, "Wooden Ships and Iron Men: Marine Oil Paintings from the Bradford Collection" (510 St. Louis Street, New Orleans LA 70130; 504 524-5462) • Mystic Maritime Gallery: 15 November31 December, Three Distinguished Artists (Mystic Seaport Museum Stores, Mystic CT 06355-6001 ; 860 572-5388) • Naval War College Museum: 11 December-January 1998, 12th Annual Navy-Newport Artists and Art Show (686 Cushing Road, Newport RI 02841 ; 401 841-7689) •San Diego Maritime Museum: 14 November-IO May 1998, "A Celebration of Pacific Maritime Heritage by John Stobart" (1306 North Harbor Drive, San Diego CA 92101; 619 234-9153) • South Street Seaport Museum: 1 November-25 January · 1998, "John DePol: New York Engraved" (207 Front Street, New York NY 10038; 212 748-8600) •The Mariners' Museum: 6 December-31 May 1998, "The Culture of the Sea: One Hundred Photographs from The Mariners' Museum" (100 Museum Drive, Newport News VA 23606-3759; 804 596-2222)
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