Alexander Breede (American, 1892-1972) oil on canvas maritime painting depicting the clipper, Romance of the Sea, on open water manned by seven sailors extending or retracting the forward sail beneath a cloud-dotted sky. Signed "Alex Breede" lower right. Housed in a white-painted wooden frame. Sight: 24 1/4" H x 35 3/8" W. Framed: 28 1/2" H x 39 1/2" W. Note: The Romance of the Sea was a clipper ship originally launched in 1853 and sailed the North Atlantic seas for nine years, making six round-trip voyages before being lost at sea during her seventh. This painting is believed to have been originally owned by champion yachtsman Harold Stirling Vanderbilt. It seems to appear in a 1931 brochure showing the library of Vanderbilt's Palm Beach home, now known as Eastover (see photo). Eastover was purchased in 1986 by Margaret Harold Roberts. The brochure is available to the winning bidder.

PROVENANCE: The Estate of Margaret Harold Roberts, Lookout Mountain, Georgia.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition with craquelure throughout, surface grime, and slight scattered errant brown marks particularly in sky. Minute surface abrasion to paint layer at the center top, measuring 1 1/2" L.