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.
A Particularly Fine and Large Silkwork Picture attributed to Thomas Willis
By Thomas Willis
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Particularly Fine and Large Silkwork Picture attributed to Thomas Willis New York, of the Barque the Lord Kinnaird, Presented by Joshua S. Tucker, the Shipping Company in New York,...
Silk
Drawing Attributed to Jean-Baptiste Pillement
By Jean-Baptiste Pillement
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Two-faced drawing. Studies of characters and harbor scene. With an inscription stating it is from the sketchbook in the collection of Dr. Manuel de Espirito Santo in Lisbon. Ink a...
Paper
$6,875
H 25.38 in W 31.5 in D 2 in
Anglo-Indian Zoological Silkwork Embroidery in Original Ebony Frame, circa 1840
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A C R O T E R I O N is pleased to offer this exquisite and exceptionally rare large scale circa 1840 Anglo-Indian zoological silkwork embroidery picture of native Indian reptiles and...
Silk, Blown Glass, Ebony
$18,500
H 76 in W 56 in D 3.25 in
Large Oil on Canvas "Madonna & Child" After Murillo - Attributed to Lucchesi
By Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attributed to Giorgio Lucchesi (1855-1941) A large and impressive early 20th century oil on canvas "Madonna and Child" after Bartolomé Esteban Murillo...
Canvas, Giltwood
$2,654Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.26 in W 17.33 in D 1.97 in
Fine Pair of English 18th Century Silkwork Pictures
Located in Lymington, GB
A fine pair of English George III-period silkwork pictures, dated 1797. These are charming Georgian (late 18th century) needleworks of children play...
Silk
Tapestry ‘Zebra’ Attributed to Kerstin Bäckman, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Tapestry ‘Zebra’ attributed to Kerstin Bäckman, Sweden. 1970s. Hand woven. Signed. H: 73 cm / 2' 4 3/4" W: 52 cm / 1' 8 1/2".
Fabric
$695
H 10 in W 12.5 in D 1 in
Antique Georgian Framed Silkwork Needlework Pastoral Landscape Coastal Scenes
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique 19th Century Needlework on silk on Pastoral landscape on coastal scene.
Textile, Silk, Wood
$380
H 12.75 in W 11 in D 1 in
Antique Silkwork Embroidery Picture Shepherdess and Sheep England Circa 1840
Located in Katonah, NY
This antique English silkwork embroidery picture shows a shepherdess seated in a pastoral landscape with sheep gathered at her feet. The subject is gentle and appealing, but the str...
Silk
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 38 in D 4 in
Brass, Chrome and Black Metal Wall Art Attributed to Curtis Jere, circa 1980
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sexy, large and impressive 1980s wall art attributed to Curtis Jere and made of brass, chrome and black metal sheets - as if bound together like a bow ...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Large Scandinavian Wall Plate with two Fishes Attributed to Björn Wiinblad
By Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in Hannover, DE
Exclusive copper wall decoration. This wall plate is a very rare work of art and the perfect decoration for your home. The fish were applied in relief to the plate using an elaborate...
Copper
$1,050
H 8 in W 5 in D 1 in
Antique Ormolu Bronze Picture Frame with Fine Mosaic Floral Design, circa 1860s
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Ormolu bronze hanging "Locket" picture frame with Fine Mosaic floral design, circa 1860-1870. Lovely substantial piece for any wall or tabletop!
Bronze
Fine Meiji Cloisonné Enamel Charger Bamboo and Insects Attributed, Goto
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A refined and highly decorative Japanese cloisonné enamel charger from the Meiji period, attributed to the workshop of Gotō Seizaburō—an artist associated with some of the most sophi...
Copper, Enamel
$2,500
H 12.75 in W 11.5 in D 1.75 in
Silkwork Portrait of the Duchesse d’Angoulême, Daughter of Marie Antoinette
Located in Downingtown, PA
Silkwork Portrait of the Duchesse d’Angoulême, Daughter of Marie Antoinette This rare and evocative silkwork picture portrays Marie Thérèse of France (1778–1851), the eldest child ...
Silk
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...
Canvas, Silk
Sold
H 23.5 in W 29.5 in D 4.25 in
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...
Canvas, Silk
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...
Canvas, Silk
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...
Canvas, Silk
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'...
Canvas, Silk
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...
Canvas, Silk