FROM THE COLLECTION OF SUSAN & ALLEN COLES. CHRISTOPHER BLOSSOM (American, b.1956). The Vicennes and Porpoise, 1981. O...

Description

FROM THE COLLECTION OF SUSAN & ALLEN COLES

CHRISTOPHER BLOSSOM (American, b.1956)
The Vicennes and Porpoise, 1981
Oil on canvas
26 x 39 inches (66.0 x 99.1 cm)
Signed lower right: Christopher Blossom / 1981

Christopher Blossom may be unique among gold-medal winners at the National Academy of Western Art in that he is first and foremost a Northeastern marine painter. A native of Norwalk, Connecticut, Blossom spent his teen years crewing boats from Connecticut to Maine and studying marine painting in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. His early commercial training at New York's Parsons School of Design and the Industrial Design Studio of Robert Bourke influenced his appreciation of ship design, and in the 1970s he became a charter member of the American Society of Marine Artists. Vacations to Colorado and Wyoming first interested Blossom in the Western landscape, and his paintings of this region have earned him recognition in Southwest Art and Art of the West, as well as a 1991 gold medal at the NAWA and the 2001 Robert Lougheed Memorial Award at the Prix de West Invitation. Demonstrating Blossom's continued fascination with historical ships, The Vincennes and Porpoise depicts two of the major ships from the United States Exploring Expedition, or Wilkes Expedition, of 1838-42, which traversed the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in search of commercial opportunities, new territories, and geological and botanical specimens for scientific study. Here, Blossom captures the dramatic moment leading up to Captain Charles Wilkes's discovery of Antarctica, as the flagship Vincennes, a 780-ton war sloop, and the Porpoise, a 230-ton brig, first encounter massive icebergs.



*Heritage Auctions strives to provide as much information as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Statements regarding the condition of objects are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted in the condition report but are apparent in the provided photos which are considered part of the condition report. Please note that we do not de-frame lots estimated at $1,000 or less and may not be able to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and shall not be liable for any damage/scratches to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or art that has slipped in frames. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms & Conditions of Auction.