Montague Dawson, R.S.M.A., F.R.S.A.

Frost & Reed, London, 1960, where purchased by the father of the present owner and thence by descent

STRUCTURE Original canvas. There are a few tiny spots of surface staining near the upper left corner and there is a small area of surface dirt near the centre of the left hand edge. There are a few minor spots of craquelure in the sky above left of the ship and also to the bow of the ship, only visible upon close inspection. There is a vertical shallow scratch in the water to the left of the boat, only visible upon close inspection. Otherwise the work appears in very good overall condition. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT Under UV there is a line of retouching which corresponds to the aforementioned scratch, and also some faint retouching to the craquelure on the bow of the ship. FRAME Held in a gilt plaster frame. Please telephone the department on 0207 293 5718 if you have any questions about the present work.
"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."

Dawson dedicated the majority of his career to the depiction of the tea clippers.  With his first hand knowledge of the sea he celebrates their beauty, grace, and speed like no other artist. The Proud Ship is an unnamed vessel and as such is a general tribute to the courage of these majestic ships.  Beneath ragged, stormy skies and skimming across mountainous, churning seas, the clipper flies every inch of sail in conditions where most ships would be forced to take in sail.  Sailing in this manner would push vessel and crew to the limit but such was the demand and premium for the freshest tea, as well as the prestige that went with winning one of the great tea races.

'The Clippers were a race apart...lean with sharp bows, raked masts and a great cumulus of sail.  They raced each other across the world's oceans, their captains were treated like today's superstars and their names became legendary.  Fortunes were wagered on the result of races between them, which might last from Hong Kong to London or from New York round the Horn to San Francisco...setting sailing records that would last forever.' (Ron Ransom, The Maritime Paintings of Montague Dawson, 1993.)