Oil on Board - Circa 1852
8 x 12 Inches 15 x19 Inches Framed
Signed LR: J.E. Buttersworth

The foremost artist of 19th Century yachts, James E. Buttersworth, sets a racing scene in the waters of his homeland featuring an important American schooner yacht. In racing trim with the national ensign and what is an exact match for the private signal of New York Yacht Club Commodore John Cox Stevens aloft, a blue and white Pilot Jack when flown on the bow, this work is from the period of Commodore Steven's voyage to England with AMERICA, the most famous schooner of all. When AMERICA won a silver cup worth 100 British Guineas put up by the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1851, a “Hawk among the Pigeons”, the longest competed for trophy in world yacht racing and all sports in general was established.

Shown under sail with several other racing yachts under British and what is possibly a Swedish ensign following, the racing schooner is shown as Buttersworth likely himself saw in England, with her sleek black hull and stiff sheeted canvas. Commodore Stevens raced an entire season in English waters, and sold AMERICA for her consortium to Lord John de Blaquiere who became the schooner's new owner in 1852, for $25,000.

The leading published authority on J.E. Buttersworth, Rudolph Schaefer, lists 11 paintings by Buttersworth showing America, and not all of those with her as the featured subject.