Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

William Gay Yorke
Yacht Wanderer (Slave Ship)

1878

About the Item

When you gaze upon "Yacht Wanderer (Slave Ship)" by William Gay Yorke, you're not just looking at a maritime painting; you're peering into a fragment of history with profound and complex layers. The Wanderer began its life as a luxury yacht, embodying the elegance and prestige of 19th-century seafaring. Yet, its story took a darker turn when it became one of the last American ships involved in the transatlantic slave trade. This transformation from a symbol of opulence to an instrument of unspeakable suffering is what makes this piece so compelling. William Gay Yorke, a master of maritime painting, brings to life the intricate details of the ship. His meticulous brushstrokes capture the sleek lines and graceful form of the vessel, emphasizing the craftsmanship and beauty that once defined it. But beyond the technical artistry lies a narrative steeped in history and moral reflection. The painting stands as a stark reminder of the grim realities of the slave trade. It evokes a sense of sadness and outrage, prompting viewers to contemplate the human stories intertwined with this ship's journey. As you examine the Wanderer, you can almost imagine the hidden horrors beneath its decks, the unimaginable hardships endured by those forced into slavery, and the complicity of those who profited from such suffering. What makes this piece unique is its ability to juxtapose beauty with brutality, challenging us to reconcile the allure of maritime art with the weight of its subject matter. It serves as an educational tool, guiding us to acknowledge the injustices of the past while inspiring conversations about human rights, justice, and the long struggle for equality. In a broader sense, "Yacht Wanderer (Slave Ship)" invites us to reflect on history's complexities, reminding us that even the most beautiful things can have dark undercurrents. By capturing this ship in its moment of transformation, Yorke has created a powerful and haunting work that transcends its maritime roots to become a lasting symbol of a painful chapter in history.
  • Creator:
    William Gay Yorke (1817 - 1892, British, Canadian)
  • Creation Year:
    1878
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Width: 31.25 in (79.38 cm)
  • More Editions & Sizes:
    Unframed Size: 18 x 26 inPrice: $12,500
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Jacksonville, FL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2595214362482
More From This SellerView All
  • “At The Oasis" 19th Century Antique Landscape orientalist Oil Painting on Canvas
    Located in Jacksonville, FL
    Provenance: Private Collection, Naples Fl, to Andrew Ford Collection, Sarasota, Fl. 2018 Description: Georges Washington was born out of wedlock and held a...
    Category

    18th Century Realist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • "Walking Among the Backyard" 18th Century Antique Oil Painting on Canvas
    Located in Jacksonville, FL
    "Walking Among the Backyard" is a mesmerizing antique oil painting on canvas that transports viewers to the elegant world of 18th-century Europe. The artwork depicts a European lady ...
    Category

    19th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • The Citadel of Cairo, Evening
    By Robert Swain Gifford
    Located in Jacksonville, FL
    Oil on canvas mounted on board. As twilight descends over the ancient city of Cairo, the iconic silhouette of the Citadel emerges against the fading light. This is the scene that Robert Swain...
    Category

    1870s Realist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil, Board

  • 19th Century Antique Landscape Oil Painting On Canvas with Antique Frame 1850s
    By Jean-Léon Gérôme
    Located in Jacksonville, FL
    Provenance: Property from an American Private Collection John Beard Jackson, Pittsburgh (1845-1908, 'one of the best known men of Pittsburgh', served in ma...
    Category

    19th Century Realist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Oil, Canvas

  • Antique Wildlife Art of Cozy Animal Retreat on Oval Convex Wood
    Located in Jacksonville, FL
    Step into the world of "Enchanted Barnyard," a captivating Antique Wildlife Art Oil Painting presented on a 39.50 x 27.5-inch Oval Convex Wood Frame. This masterful creation unveils a heartwarming scene within a sheltered animal haven, where two Rabbits, alongside hens, a rooster, and two pigeons, find comfort. With a remarkable eye for detail, the artist breathes life into each animal, capturing their distinct personalities and the interactions that unfold. The Rabbits' velvety fur, the vibrant plumage of the hens and rooster, and the graceful presence of the pigeons are rendered with such precision that you can almost feel the barnyard's gentle rhythm. Nestled within the convex curvature of the frame, the animals and their cozy dwelling exude a lifelike quality that transports you to the heart of this idyllic scene. The entrance, the rustic barrel...
    Category

    Early 20th Century Realist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Wood, Oil

  • "Women in garden" 19th Century Oil Painting on Canvas
    Located in Jacksonville, FL
    John Edmund Califano, an American artist born in the late 19th century, was known for his remarkable skills in capturing the beauty of everyday life through his paintings. Califano'...
    Category

    19th Century Realist Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Oil

You May Also Like
  • "Valencian Flower Pickers ", Early 20th Century Oil on Canvas by José Mongrell
    Located in Madrid, ES
    JOSÉ MONGRELL Spanish, 1870 - 1937 VALENCIAN FLOWER PICKERS signed “J. Mongrell” lower left oil on canvas 29-1/4 x 45 inches (74 x 114 cm.) framed: 42-3/...
    Category

    1910s Realist Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Soleil Levant, Vallée De La Dordogne By William Didier-Pouget
    By William Didier-Pouget
    Located in New Orleans, LA
    William Didier-Pouget 1864-1959 French Soleil levant, vallée de la Dordogne (Sunrise, Dordogne Valley) Signed "Didier-Pouget" (lower right) Oil on canvas The majesty of the Frenc...
    Category

    20th Century Realist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Niagara Falls, Ontario. View Across to New York State. Buffalo NY in Distance.
    Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
    Alexandre Le Bihan. French ( b.1839 - d.1924 ). Niagara Falls. Oil on Canvas. Signed. Image size 23.2 inches x 49.2 inches ( 59cm x 125cm ). Frame size 28.9 inches x 55.1 inches ( 7...
    Category

    Late 19th Century Realist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Old Farmhouse, 1935
    Located in Franklin, MI
    A fine example of the magic realism of this Detroit artist whose work is included in the Whitney Museum of Art
    Category

    1930s Realist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Idyllic Moon Night Landscape Scandinavian Lakeland 19th century Oil Painting
    Located in Stockholm, SE
    Nocturnal landscape exudes a sense of calm and serenity, drawing you in with its Naïve Romanticism manner, captured in oils by an unknown artist in the late 19th century. In the fore...
    Category

    Late 19th Century Realist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Wood, Cotton Canvas, Oil

  • Summer Landscape with Birches by Austrian Master Gollob Early 20th century Oil
    Located in Stockholm, SE
    Heinrich Gollob (1886 - 1917) - Austrian painter. Gollob's attention to detail demonstrates his talent for bringing landscapes to life through vibrant colors, textures and the play o...
    Category

    Early 20th Century Realist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Wood, Cotton Canvas, Oil

Recently Viewed

View All