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Montague Dawson (English, 1890-1973, RMSA, FRSA) oil on canvas seascape illustration painting. Waves churn as gulls fly overhead, and a ship approaches in the distance. With placard front, center of frame, reading “And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying and the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea gulls crying.” Signed lower left, “Montague. Dawson.” Circa 1947. Lot includes the old label (now detached) from W. Russell Button, Inc., Chicago, referencing that this work was commissioned as one of six illustrations for “Sea Fever” by John Masefield, a poem which appeared in Coronet Magazine in Dec. 1947. In a molded wood frame with light/natural finish, with lunette sight edge molding and carved floral corner elements. Sight: 19 3/4 in. H x 29 1/2 in. W. Frame: 26 in. H x 31 1/2 in. W.
Biography: Montague Dawson was one of Britain’s most celebrated marine artists. Although he had no formal artistic training, his grandfather was a successful landscape painter, and young Montague enjoyed both art and sailing. At the age of 15, he joined a commercial art studio at Bedford Row in London where he worked as an illustrator. During World War I, he served as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy and recorded the war at sea through publications in the Sphere newspaper. He also worked as a ship painter for the Navy’s Dazzle department. After the war, Dawson decided to pursue a career as an artist and began submitting work to the Royal Academy exhibitions. He became a member of the Royal Society of Marine Painters in 1946. Among his clients were the British Royal family and US Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson. Source: St. Barbe Museum.
PROVENANCE: Russell Button Inc., Chicago, to private collection, California, to present consignor (private collection).
CONDITION: Craquelure throughout. Some light grime upper left sky area. Copy of receipt for cleaning and retouch from James Pennuto, San Mateo California, 2008, available to the winning bidder. Frame has some wear and abrasions.
