Montague Dawson R.S.M.A., F.R.S.A.

Quester Gallery, Connecticut, where purchased by the present owner

STRUCTURE Original canvas. The work appears in good overall condition with strong passages of impasto in the sea. UNDER ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT There are no signs of retouching. FRAME Held in a gilt plaster frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present work depicts 6 metre yachts racing the Solent, spinnakers flying. Executed on a large scale, these elegant boats gliding through the glistening sea form a majestic sight which Dawson gives full justice to. Having devoted his life to marine painting, few artists of the twentieth century rivalled his precision and skill in rendering boats at sea. They display his intimate knowledge of the interplay between ship, wind and sea and it is in evoking these sensations that Dawson's work is so compelling.

The 6 Metre has an esteemed racing history, chosen as an Olympic class in 1908 and one of the most popular international racing classes through the first half of the twentieth century. This ebbed with the introduction of the 5.5 metre class but has enjoyed a revival more recently.

The pleasure of sailing these boats is keenly felt in the present work, and they provide a more gentle scene from Dawson's dramatic depictions of war ships and clippers at full keel. He executed a number of Solent racing scenes but works of this nature remain rare within his oeurve.