Montague Dawson Paintings

Signed maritime oil on canvas circa 1930 by English realist painter Montague Dawson. The three masted schooner painted in this work is almost certainly...

Montague Dawson 1890-1973 British The Pioneer, The Nonsuch Signed “Montague Dawson” (lower left) Oil on canvas The dynamism of the seas and the might of the clipper ships that br...

Montague Dawson 1890-1973 British Onward - The Norman Court Signed “Montague Dawson” (lower left) Oil on canvas The dynamism of the seas and the might of the clipper ships that brave their waters are captured with great accuracy and attention to detail in this monumental work by Montague Dawson. Here, the artist brings vividly to life the historic clipper ship Norman Court as it battles the waves on the open sea. Dawson, arguably the most important maritime painter of his generation, possessed an incomparable talent for rendering ships at sea with unparalleled energy and vitality. The speed and grace of these historic ships is perfectly realized in the present work, enhanced by Dawson's mastery over composition and the large scale of the painting. Built and launched in 1869 by A. & J. Inglis of Glasgow, Norman Court was a composite clipper ship that traveled between the United Kingdom and East Asia under the command of Andrew Shewan and his son, also named Andrew Shewan. While returning from Java to Glasgow carrying sugar, Norman Court's career was cut short in March of 1883 when a powerful gale caused the ship to be wrecked on the rocks of Cymyran Bay, between the villages of Rhoscolyn and Rhosneigr in Wales. Dawson's immersive composition captures the ship at full sail and the height of her glory, battling the white-capped waves on a brilliant day at sea. The son of a keen yachtsman and grandson of marine painter Henry Dawson, Montague Dawson spent much of his childhood on the Southampton Water, where he was able to indulge his interest in the study of ships. Naturally gifted at drawing and painting, the self-taught Dawson became a member of an art studio group in Bedford Row...

Montague Dawson 1895-1973 British Battle in the Atlantic Signed "Montague Dawson" (lower left) Oil on canvas Widely regarded as the 20th-century master of maritime painting, Montague Dawson was also the Official English Naval Artist of World War II. Not only did he excel at capturing the grandeur and power of ships at sea, but his wartime compositions also brought to life the drama of battle. This commanding work reflects his mastery over his preferred subject. Executed in grayscale, the oil depicts a United States Victory ship — a class of American cargo ships — under attack by a German U-boat. The artist's penchant for photorealism and knowledge of naval vessels is fully illustrated in the work, while its palette is a reflection on the gravity of war. The son of a yachtsman and grandson of the marine painter Henry Dawson (1811-1878), Montague Dawson spent much of his childhood on Southampton Water where he was able to indulge his interest in the study of ships. Naturally gifted at drawing and painting, the self-taught Dawson became a member of an art studio group in Bedford Row, London. By the age of 15, he was working on posters and illustrations to earn a living. For a brief period around 1910, Dawson worked for a commercial art studio in London, but with the outbreak of World War I, he joined the Royal Navy. While serving in the Navy in Falmouth, he met Charles Napier Hemy...

Montague Dawson 1895-1973 British In the Trough of the Waves, the Clipper Oberon Signed “Montague Dawson” (lower left) Oil on canvas Montague Dawson, arguably the most important maritime painter of his generation, possessed an incomparable talent for rendering ships at sea with unparalleled energy and vitality. His dynamic seascapes, like In the Trough of the Waves, the Clipper Oberon, perfectly realize the grace of historic ships, enhanced by the artist’s mastery over composition. Depicted against the might of the ocean, the sailing vessel appears to rise up on the waves as it glides effortlessly through the water. The ship Dawson renders here, a British clipper ship weighing 1,194 tons, was the Oberon. Built in Glasgow, Scotland in 1869, the Oberon was originally built to be a steam clipper before she was converted into a sailing vessel. A newspaper article from the Daily Alta California on October 8, 1876 explains that the ship was used for Shaw & Maxton's China Tea Clipper Line, running routes to Australia and New Zealand to assist in the Chinese tea trade to Europe and the United States. On the ship, the Daily Alta writes of the Oberon: "Her planking, of teak-wood, is as smooth as glass, and with her beautiful entrance and fine run, there is nothing to prevent her from sailing. Her great length (241 feet, with a beam of but 36 feet,) gives her good sailing power, and that she possesses this power in a remarkable degree. [...] Nothing but teak is used in the construction of the vessel's fittings. A fine piece of carving extends across the after part of the house on deck, illustrating the legendary of 'Midsummers' Night's Dream,' from which the name of the vessel was taken." Dawson captures the boat from a distance, rendering not the beauty of the teakwood carvings, but certainly the imposing and glorious presence of the Oberon under sail. The son of a keen yachtsman and grandson of marine painter Henry Dawson, Montague Dawson spent much of his childhood on the Southampton Water, where he was able to indulge his interest in the study of ships. Naturally gifted at drawing and painting, the self-taught Dawson became a member of an art studio group in Bedford Row...

Montague Dawson 1895-1973 British Eight Bells Signed "Montague Dawson" (lower right) Oil on canvas laid on board Few painters were so adept at renderin...

The dynamism of the seas and the grace of the sailboats that traverse their waters are captured with great accuracy and attention to detail in this work by Montague Dawson. Here, the...

Montague Dawson demonstrates his skill for capturing the dynamism of the seas in this monumental oil on canvas, bringing vividly to life a clipper ship race on the open water. This is among the largest paintings ever composed by the artist, and every inch of the work pays homage to the beauty of ships at full sail. Montague Dawson is considered the master of marine painting, famous for his breathtaking, highly detailed compositions. By 1935, he was dubbed "the King of the Clipper Ship School," and his reputation as a maritime painter spread internationally. The speed and grace of the historic Lightning and Red Jacket are perfectly realized in the present work, enhanced by Dawson's skill at photorealism and mastery over composition. The Lightning and the Red Jacket...

This painting by Montague Dawson serves as an ode to the majesty of ships at sea. Entitled Bird of Dawn, the Sir Lancelot, the work brings vividly to lif...

The dynamism of the seas and the might of the clipper ships that brave their waters are captured with great accuracy and attention to detail in this work by Montague Dawson. Here, t...

Famous for his highly detailed compositions of ships at sea, Montague Dawson is undoubtedly the greatest marine painter of the 20th century. In A Ship in Open Water, Dawson’s skill at photorealism and his ability to capture dynamic movement are fully evident. With an incredible energy, he perfectly captures the volume of the sails and the vitality of the white capped, churning waves as this impressive vessel effortlessly glides through the water. The son of a keen yachtsman and grandson of marine painter Henry Dawson (1811-1878), Montague Dawson spent much of his childhood on Southampton Water where he was able to indulge his interest in the study of ships. Naturally gifted at drawing and painting, the self-taught Dawson became a member of an art studio group in Bedford Row...

Montague Dawson demonstrates his skill for capturing the dynamism of the seas in this oil on canvas. Entitled The Boundless Ocean, the work brings vividly to life the historic clippe...