Henry Scott’s Glory of the Seas

Henry Scott’s beautiful marine oil painting of American Clipper “Glory of the Seas” is expected to be a highlight of nearly one hundred XVIII, IX, XX century artworks from a remarkable single owner collection to be offer at Bonhams in London on June 21. It is estimated to net £20,000-30,000 (USD 32,000-49,000).

The clipper ship Glory of the Seas was the last in a long line of medium clippers designed and built by Donald McKay at his East Boston shipyard in October of 1869. On her maiden voyage she arrived in San Francisco under the command of Capt. John N. Geit with Mr. Donald McKay on board. While in San Francisco Mr McKay sold her to J. Henry Sears & Co. and she was taken back east by Capt. William Chatfield.Glory of the Seas had principal dimensions of LOA: 240′-2″, Beam: 44′-1″, Draft: 28′-0″ and a displacement of 2,009 tons. She was a very sturdy ship as evidenced by her long career. While she was known as a clipper ship she was actually a fast packet because of her full lines. She was a good looking ship with an elliptical stern and a figurehead of a classical lady with long flowing gowns. She was the last ship built by Mr. McKay who was known as the builder of the Flying Cloud and other celebrated clipper ships. The Glory of the Seas was consistently one of the fastest ships making record passages from New York to San Francisco and from San Francisco to Australia.

Henry Scott specialized in portraits of ships with realistic atmospheres and recognized geographical places in many of his works. Henry Scott’s artwork presents historic champions of sail. During his exiting career Henry Scott met many IX and early XX century sailing captains. While earning their respect with his savvy sailing knowledge he also developed excellent commercial art audience. Henry Scott became an honorary member of the International Association of Master Mariners, group often called “the Cape Horners”.
Henry Scott’s artwork depicting majestic sailing ships was exhibited with the Royal Society of Marine Artist from 1950 to 1966. Scott’s paintings include excellent detail and accuracy bended into the romantic senses of speed, movement and light which make his work rise above that of many others.

Noted as an artist who, during his career, continued to explore the oceans and visualize the reality of the era’s passing, he assists the capture of the romantic essence of nautical history. Scott’s works are today sought after for their strong artistic merit and historical appeal. His paintings are executed with particular care taken in the creation of a strong sense of movement and attention to the elusive elements of marine atmosphere.