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Thomas Willis or Willes (New York, 1850 – 1925) nautical maritime ship portrait of The Mary J. Freeman in full sail. The ship, its sails, and flags are rendered in silk, satin, velvet, and embroidery against an oil on canvas background of waves, sky, shore, and steamship in the distance. Signed “Ths Willis NY” lower right and retaining Willis’ label en verso of stretcher. Mounted in the likely original period giltwood frame with plaque containing information on the ship, which operated out of Springfield, Nova Scotia from 1881-1918 and was commanded by Alfred W. Nelson. Sight: 39″ W x 20″ H. Frame: 47″ W x 27″ H. Circa 1918. Biography: Thomas Willis was born in Denmark and emigrated to New York circa 1870, where he worked for a time for a manufacturer of silk embroidery thread. He marketed himself as a marine artist and “Inventor and for over 30 years the only maker of silk marine pictures”. His paintings are included in numerous important marine art collections, including: Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, CT; Mariner’s Museum, Newport News, VA; and Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA. Source: Brewington, Dorothy. “Dictionary of Marine Artists”. Mystic, CT: Mystic Seaport Museum, 1982.
PROVENANCE: Private Nashville collection; Wayne Pratt Antiques, Marlboro/Nantucket, Massachusetts; the estate of Albert Goodhue, Jr., Marblehead, Massachusetts.
CONDITION: The painting and embroidery work are in excellent condition with slight, even toning to fabrics. Frame exhibits oxidation and several small losses to gilding, particularly at corners.
