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Catalogue Entry
This work is likely from the mid or late 1850's when Lane was simplifying his compositions and emphasizing the light, atmosphere and reflections of sky and water over calm seas. Note the first image of the painting is before cleaning and the second image below shows it almost fully cleaned, revealing the soft lavender tones of the sky and water, only the left side still showing the yellowed varnish. In addition to his genius in conveying a scene of great serenity, here Lane also demonstrates a visual mastery of seamanship that few of his contemporaries could equal.
While Lane was surely depicting sunset over an eastern seaport, likely off Boston, Gloucester or Salem, the large ship is no frigate, but a merchant vessel type later known as a “down-easter,” named for the Maine shipyards which built so many after the Civil War. The type was of more conservative design than the clipper ships, but could still achieve respectable speed while carrying more cargo. This example is leaving port under (nearly) full sail with stu’ns’ls (studding sails) set. It is a calm evening, hence the latter sails. At left is a small sloop, while in the background (left to right) are a half-brig, a schooner, a brig, and a bark.
The ship’s sails reveal Lane’s extensive knowledge of sail making and sail handling, thanks no doubt to his father’s fellow sailmakers and input from experienced sailors and master mariners. Running downwind in a very light breeze, all square sails are set except the main course, which is furled to allow the square sails on the foremast to catch the wind, making the job of steering downwind a little easier. The fore topmast stu’ns’ls (set outboard of the topsail) are also good wind catchers, but the jibs and fore staysail are hopelessly blanketed, hence lowered and furled, save the flying jib. Stu’ns’ls set from the main topgallant yard are also helping by catching the breeze aloft. The gaff-rigged spanker on the mizzen lower mast is also furled as it would only disrupt the wind flow to the sails forward of it.
– Erik Ronnberg
- Subject Types
: - Seasons / Weather
: - Sunset »
- Vessel Types
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