14.76" x 27.01" (37.50cm x 68.60cm)
Oil/Canvas
Signed Lower Right

"This scene shows part of the fleet that competed in that historic race around the Isle of Wight on August 22, 1851. America, the only American entry against 14 British boats, won the trophy which was to become the famous America's Cup. In the painting above, America appears in the right middleground leading the pack. The Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert stands off in the distant right background with Queen Victoria aboard together with her Prince Consort, Albert, and the Royal party watching the event. Several of the British cutters which participated looked very much alike and, lacking any special identification marks, it is impossible to tell which of the group these are."[Schaefer 96].

Typical of Buttersworth's oeuvre, "The Royal Yacht Squadron Cup Race, 1851" documents an event on the sea in stunning detail. As the son of a marine painter, J.E. Buttersworth more than carried on the family legacy of the subject - he became synonymous with it. Few nineteenth century marine artists were as prolific as Buttersworth, and none excelled like he at capturing a racing scene with such deftness that he transcended mere documentation.