catalog text
WARREN W. SHEPPARD
United States, 1858-1937
Sailing Boats at Sunset with Venus on the Horizon
Oil on canvas | Signed lower right "Warren Sheppard"
Item # 403JGP07W
A luminous work that positively glows, this wonderful seascape painting by Warren Sheppard features three sailing boats moving across the gentle undulations of the ocean at sunset. The sky is orange as the thickened humidity of the atmosphere glows in the low angle of the setting sun, while in the darkening sky above we can see the first lights of Venus shining brilliantly. Light of the sun shimmers across the surface of the water, capturing and accentuating the curves of the peaceful ocean.
The work is signed in the lower right corner in his typical block script "WARREN SHEPPARD". Hung in a Newcomb-Macklin style giltwood frame.
WARREN W. SHEPPARD
Warren W. Sheppard (1858-1937) was an esteemed American marine painter known for his detailed seascapes and maritime scenes. Born in Greenwich, New Jersey, Sheppard developed a deep connection to the sea both from being surrounded by water from a young age and by the influence of his father, a ship captain. This early exposure to maritime life profoundly impacted his artistic career and subject matter.
Sheppard studied under the famous Dutch marine artist Mauritz Frederik Hendrick de Haas in New York City, a mentorship that dramatically influenced the stylistic choices of his painting. He also attended Cooper Union, where he took courses in drawing. His traveled extensively along the Mediterranean coast in 1879, sketching ports in cities like Naples, Gibraltar, Genoa, and Messina. He continued his travels between 1888 and 1893 in a tour of Europe, spending significant time in Paris and Venice, capturing the architecture and vibrant canal scenes of Venice in his work.
In addition to his painting career, Sheppard was an accomplished navigator and yacht designer. He wrote and illustrated two books, "Practical Navigation" and "A Tale of the Sea," which reflected his expertise in sailing and navigation. He won the prestigious New York-to-Bermuda race twice as the skipper of the yacht Tamerlane, showcasing his skills and passion for sailing.
Sheppard exhibited widely throughout his career. He exhibited at the Brooklyn Art Association from 1874 to 1881, at the National Academy of Design from 1880 to 1899, at the 1884 Denver Exposition where he achieved a Gold medal, at the 1893 World Columbian Exposition and the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904. His paintings are part of several prominent collections, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Addison Gallery of American Art, and the Peabody Essex Museum.
Sheppard's legacy as a marine painter is characterized by his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to convey the majesty and tranquility of the sea. His work remains celebrated for its contribution to American maritime art.
Measurements: 21 3/8" H x 29 5/8" W [crame] 14" H x 22 1/8" W
Condition Report:
Very fine original condition. All conservation completed: surface carefully cleaned, losses along the top edge where the frame rubs inpainted, sealed in traditional damar varnish, relined on linen for stability. Light craquelure throughout. Bright and vibrant surface, very well preserved. Frame is early but not original. An exquisite presentation.