William Lionel Wyllie, R.A.

Presented in 1935 by Sir Bertram Fox Hayes and Captain H.F. David;
Sotheby's, 30 May 1990, lot 611, where purchased by the present owner

London, Royal Academy, 1891, no.407;
Berlin, International Exhibition of the Fine Arts, 1896

The canvas does not appear to have been lined and is undulating slightly in the corners. There are some areas of faint craquelure in the right hand portion of the sky. There is a slightly discoloured layer of surface varnish and some minor specks of surface dirt. There is some rubbing and abrasion to the left hand framing edge with some resultant flakes of paint loss Otherwise the work appears to be in fair condition. UV light inspection reveals some areas of retouching in the sky and around the ship's rigging. There is an area of retouching in the prow of the ship which is visible to the naked eye on very close inspection. A few minor touches elsewhere. Held in a gilt frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In 1887 competition to win the Blue Riband award for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic inspired Sir Thomas Ismay, owner of the famous White Star Line, to commission Harland & Wolf in Glasgow to build the liner Teutonic and her sister-ship Majestic. Over her eighteen-year service Teutonic made the 2,500 mile crossing to New York on average once a month carrying as many as 300 First Class passengers, 190 Second Class and 1,000 in steerage. In 1900 she transported troops to the Boer War and a year later she survived being hit by a tsunami. By 1911 she was replaced by Olympic in the White Star line-up and in 1913 she ceased to carry First Class passengers and was eventually refitted as a merchant cruiser. In 1913 she narrowly avoided the same fate as another White Star liner Titanic, when Teutonic came within twenty feet of colliding with an iceberg in a thick fog off Newfoundland. Teutonic was finally scrapped in Germany in 1921.

Wyllie was among the selected guests of Ismay, who sailed from Liverpool aboard Teutonic to her review at Spithead on 4 August 1891. Queen Victoria watched the review from the Royal Yacht but the Emperor of Germany and the Price of Wales inspected the ship with other dignitaries. Wyllie's son vividly recalled the day; ‘All was gaiety and friendliness… A gorgeous day ushered in the 4^th. Red baize was laid for the royal feet to tread on, and a magnificent crew of seamen was sent from Whale Island to man the guns. At the appointed moment the royal party arrived and were received by Sir Thomas Ismay and the officers of the ship.’ (M.A. Wyllie, We Were One - A Life of W.L. Wyllie R.A., R.E., R.I., 1935, p.114) Wyllie positioned himself on the top of the capstan which he thought would be a good place to observe as the ropes had been cleared for the Royals to pass unobstructed; ‘The Prince of Wales, however, decided otherwise, and, stepping off the crimson carpet, came across the ropes, followed by the German Emperor and suite, to see what Bill [Wyllie] was doing… “May I see, Wyllie?” said the Prince, and taking the sketches handed them round.’ (op.cit. p.114) The Royal party then moved on, each member tripping over the ropes in turn but taking this in good humour, except for the Duke of Clarence who was observed to scowl after stumbling. Wyllie continued to make sketches throughout the next couple of days and these became the basis for RMS Teutonic Leaving Liverpool (sold in these rooms, 4 June 1974, lot 91, now in the collection of the National Maritime Museum, London) exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1890 and the present dramatic painting exhibited the following year. It belonged to the Directors of the White Star Line, Captain H.F. David and Commodore Sir Bertram Fox Hayes, who commanded the Britannic and also served on the Coptic, Germanic, Suevic, Olympic, Arabic and the Teutonic herself.