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Nicholas Mathew Condy
19th Century English Yacht in full sail racing on the high sea

circa 1840

$6,950
£5,244.97
€6,004.70
CA$9,801.80
A$10,761.16
CHF 5,614.12
MX$130,225
NOK 70,364.27
SEK 66,301.64
DKK 44,823.50

About the Item

This evocative 19th-century marine scene by English painter Nicholas Matthew Condy captures the dynamic tension and atmospheric drama that typify his maritime works. Known for his keen eye and romantic sensibility, Condy often depicted the sea not merely as a setting, but as a powerful, almost living presence. In this particular painting, a sleek schooner cuts through churning waters under a brooding sky, its sails taut with the wind as it leans into the swell. The stormy clouds, rendered with masterful brushwork, heighten the sense of urgency and motion, suggesting a moment caught in the balance between control and chaos. The vessel itself, with its sharply angled masts and crisply defined rigging, is meticulously detailed, reflecting Condy’s deep familiarity with nautical architecture and his ability to convey technical precision without sacrificing artistic energy. Two red flags snap in the wind, their bright hue standing in stark contrast to the muted tones of sea and sky. In the background, a lighthouse rises from a distant headland, a vertical counterpoint to the ship’s diagonals and a symbol of guidance amidst turmoil. A closer look reveals smaller boats tossed by the waves, adding narrative depth and human scale to the composition. These elements together reinforce the theme of man’s relationship with nature—a romantic motif that resonates throughout the period. The ornate gilt frame, with its baroque flourishes and dramatic scrollwork, complements the painting’s intensity, framing the action like a window into another time. Condy’s work here is not just a representation of a ship at sea, but a poetic meditation on the beauty and peril of maritime life. The balance of technical skill, emotional atmosphere, and compositional harmony makes this painting a quintessential example of English marine art in the age of sail. The frame is the original 19th-century handmade frame.
  • Creator:
    Nicholas Mathew Condy (1818 - 1851, English)
  • Creation Year:
    circa 1840
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)Width: 17 in (43.18 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    The painting is in its original condition.
  • Gallery Location:
    Woodbury, CT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU507316022022

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