Artwork in the Ballroom

By: Larry W. Stephenson, M.D.

There are seven oil paintings gracing the walls of our Club’s Ballroom; six are owned by the Club while the seventh is on loan.

1The most prominent GPYC-owned painting is Sea Witch by Frank Vining Smith. Hanging above the fireplace, this massive 20 ft. x 10 ft. painting was commissioned by Commodore John H. French and unveiled on July 4, 1929, as his gift to the GPYC on the opening day of our new Clubhouse. Due to its incredible size, we know it was actually painted in a barn. Mr. Smith was an experienced New England ocean sailor as well as a highly respected marine artist, well-known for his portrayal of historic sailing vessels. Sea Witch was likely chosen as the preeminent ship in this masterpiece because it was fast, beautiful and the most famous American-built Clipper of its era.

The painting depicts the start of a famous 1851 race between Sea Witch, featured in the foreground, and Clippers Typhoon and Raven in the background. Raven, sailing from Boston harbor, has met up with Sea Witch and Typhoon out of New York harbor, and the three are about to set out on a racecourse that will cover over 13,000 miles, south around Cape Horn and then north all the way to San Francisco harbor. All three ships crossed the finish line within five days of each other, a remarkable feat considering the great distance and numerous prevailing weather conditions. 2The only Ballroom painting on loan is a much smaller version of our Sea Witch, also painted by Frank Vining Smith and located on the north wall east of the staircase. Before giving his final approval for the grandiose version, Commodore French prudently asked to see a preview of what Mr. Smith would be painting. This smaller version of Sea Witch is owned by Commodore French’s great grandson, Conrad “Duke” Williams III. Mr. Williams, a prominent New Orleans attorney, said the painting traveled with him throughout his several years of serving in the U.S. Navy before settling permanently in New Orleans. Mr. Williams not only agreed to the loan of his painting to the GPYC for an indefinite period, but also sent it to the Club at his own expense.

1-2

3Also on the north wall, but west of the staircase, is an untitled painting of two Clipper ships by Wilfred Knox. Mr. Knox was born in Birmingham, England, in 1884 and became one of the most popular English maritime painters of the twentieth century. His work was especially known for its fine study of detail and almost poetic movement of the sea, both clearly in evidence in this fine painting.

3

4 & 5Moving on to the west wall and facing the main window, there are two paintings on each side of that window. To the right at the top is another untitled painting signed only by artist “Cooper.” It depicts a nineteenth century two-masted sailing vessel flying the American flag, with a small sailboat in the foreground and a much larger sailing ship in the background. Below this painting is another by the same artist, also untitled, of a two-masted merchant ship in dark waters and uncertain skies.

5

4

6 & 7 The top painting to the left of the window is untitled but signed by artist “Sanders”. One sees a three-masted British merchant ship that appears to be sailing either out of, or past, the port in the background, while the ship to the right may be heading into port. Below is a British Clipper ship in choppy waters flying the colors of the Merchant Navy. A smaller sailing vessel is in the background to starboard. This painting is untitled and unsigned.

6