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Thomas Willis Nautical Objects

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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Creator: Thomas Willis
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 Nautical Objects

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 Nautical Objects

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

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Previously Available Items
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Thomas Willis Silk Embroidered Yacht Seascape, circa 1890
Thomas Willis Silk Embroidered Yacht Seascape, circa 1890

Thomas Willis Silk Embroidered Yacht Seascape, circa 1890

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Thomas Willis nautical objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Thomas Willis nautical objects 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 nautical objects, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original nautical objects by Thomas Willis were created in the Victorian style in united states during the 19th century. Prices for Thomas Willis nautical objects 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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