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Thomas Willis

1850-1925

Thomas Willis listed as having been born in Connecticut, there is ample evidence that he was born in Denmark and emigrated to CT as a young man. There are pervasive rumors that he lived and worked in New York City as a silk importer or a manufacturer of embroidery thread, which lead to his unique art form; however, his style and technique was fully developed while still living in Europe. Rumors aside, it is well documented that he worked prolifically creating portraits of yachts and steamers on commission for members of the American, New York and Corinthian Yacht Clubs, as well as others. His earliest work tended to be on plain colored silk backgrounds; soon his work featured oil painting on canvas backgrounds, thought to originally have been done for him by friends such as the renowned marine artist Antonio Jacobsen (who shared many of the same clients). It is believed that these artists taught Willis how to paint for himself, eventually becoming quite adept. As such, the painted backgrounds on Willis' work can vary from the still somewhat amateurish to the frankly sublime. He was, however, the only artist working in this unique medium and style, and his art is unmistakable and irrefutable.

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19th C. Silk Embroidered and Hand Painted Seascape by Thomas Willis
By Thomas Willis
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th century silk embroidered and hand painted oil on canvas seascape by Thomas Willis (1850 - 1925), depicting the schooner-rigged racing yacht MARION W...
Category

1880s American Folk Art Antique Thomas Willis

Materials

Canvas, Silk

19th C. Silk Embroidered and Hand Painted Seascape by Thomas Willis
19th C. Silk Embroidered and Hand Painted Seascape by Thomas Willis

19th C. Silk Embroidered and Hand Painted Seascape by Thomas Willis

Silk Embroidered Hand Painted Seascape by Thomas Willis, circa 1890
By Thomas Willis
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th century silk embroidered and hand painted oil on canvas seascape by Thomas Willis (1850 - 1925), depicting a schooner-rigged racing yacht closely ha...
Category

1890s American Late Victorian Antique Thomas Willis

Materials

Canvas, Silk

Silk Embroidered Hand Painted Seascape by Thomas Willis, circa 1890
Silk Embroidered Hand Painted Seascape by Thomas Willis, circa 1890

Silk Embroidered Hand Painted Seascape by Thomas Willis, circa 1890

Thomas Willis: Shamrock III and Reliance Crossing the Line, America’s Cup, 1903
By Thomas Willis
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Thomas Willis: Shamrock III and Reliance Crossing the Line, America’s Cup, 1903. This mixed media picture is oil on canvas with silk and velvet fabric embroidered with silk thread. I...
Category

Early 20th Century English Thomas Willis

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Thomas Willis: Shamrock III and Reliance Crossing the Line, America’s Cup, 1903
Thomas Willis: Shamrock III and Reliance Crossing the Line, America’s Cup, 1903

Thomas Willis: Shamrock III and Reliance Crossing the Line, America’s Cup, 1903

Thomas Willis Yacht Portrait - The Elmar
By Thomas Willis
Located in Savannah, GA
Thomas Willis (American, 1850-1925) A yacht portrait of The Elmar out of Sheepshead Bay, circa 1910s. Oil on canvas with silk and threadwork. The owner listed as Gus Rau was kn...
Category

1910s American Vintage Thomas Willis

Materials

Canvas, Silk

Thomas Willis Yacht Portrait - The Elmar
Thomas Willis Yacht Portrait - The Elmar

Thomas Willis Yacht Portrait - The Elmar

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Previously Available Items
Thomas Willis Silk Embroidered Seascape, circa 1890
By Thomas Willis
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th century silk embroidered and hand painted oil on canvas seascape by Thomas Willis (1850 - 1925), depicting a gaff-rigged racing yacht closely hauled...
Category

1890s American Late Victorian Antique Thomas Willis

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Canvas, Silk

Thomas Willis Silk Embroidered Seascape, circa 1890
Thomas Willis Silk Embroidered Seascape, circa 1890

Thomas Willis Silk Embroidered Seascape, circa 1890

H 19.5 in W 27.75 in D 3 in
Thomas Willis Silk Embroidered Yacht Seascape, circa 1890
By Thomas Willis
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique silk embroidered yacht portrait by Thomas Willis (1850-1925), depicting the schooner-rigged racing yacht America, the winner of the 1851 America'...
Category

1890s American Folk Art Antique Thomas Willis

Materials

Canvas, Silk

Thomas Willis Silk Embroidered Yacht Seascape, circa 1890
Thomas Willis Silk Embroidered Yacht Seascape, circa 1890

Thomas Willis Silk Embroidered Yacht Seascape, circa 1890

H 18.38 in W 26.25 in D 2.25 in
Silk Mounted Oil on Canvas Seascape by Thomas Willis, circa 1880
By Thomas Willis
Located in Nantucket, MA
Silk mounted and embroidered portrait of a Schooner-Rigged Yacht, hand tied onto an oil on canvas Seascape, by Thomas Willis (Danish-American: circa 1850...
Category

1880s American Late Victorian Antique Thomas Willis

Materials

Canvas, Silk

Silk Mounted Oil on Canvas Seascape by Thomas Willis, circa 1880
Silk Mounted Oil on Canvas Seascape by Thomas Willis, circa 1880

Silk Mounted Oil on Canvas Seascape by Thomas Willis, circa 1880

H 15 in W 21.25 in L 15 in

Thomas Willis furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Thomas Willis furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of silk and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Thomas Willis furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Thomas Willis were created in the Victorian style in united states during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Purvis Young, Robinson Ransbottom Pottery Co., and Louis Marx and Company. Prices for Thomas Willis furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,800 and can go as high as $6,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,800.

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