Important Antonio Jacobsen (1850-1921) Oil on Canvas “America’s Cup Trials, 1871, Yacht Dauntless“, signed lower right Antonio Jacobsen, 1905, in carved gold leaf frame.

Sold For $60,325

This painting contains more vessels and shows more action than most yachting paintings in general and Jacobsens’ in particular. At the center of the canvas is the yacht Dauntless bearing down with her bow facing the viewer and heeling on her port side. She is flying the New York Yacht Club burgee from the foremast and the burgee of her owner, Commodore James Gordon Bennett, Jr. from the rear mast and the American flag off of the gaff. Just behind her, sailing with a similar rig and in parallel, is either Sappho or Columbia racing for the honor of defending the America’s Cup of 1871. This yacht is also flying the New York Yacht Club burgee. All four vessels on the left are flying the American flag. To the right of Dauntless are three more tugs and to their right three small vessels in the distance.

Note: The yacht Dauntless was built as a sloop in 1866 by Forsyth & Morgan in Mystic, Connecticut. She was built for Caldwell Colt and her home port was Newport. She was purchased in 1869 by James Gordon Bennett, Jr. who commissioned John B. Van Deusen to redesign her and change her rig from a sloop to a schooner. James Gordon Bennett, Jr. who had gained fame from winning the Great Ocean Race of 1866 with his yacht, Henrietta, became Commodore of the New York Yacht Club 1871, the year he challenged to defend the cup with Dauntless. He served between 1871-1874, a three year term instead of two. Dauntless was 123 feet in length, 26.7 feet in breadth and she drew 12.6 feet. Dauntless was not selected to defend the cup of 1871 and the honor went to Columbia.

22 in. x 36 in. Overall 32 in. x 45 in.

Provenance: Property of a Gentleman, Weston Connecticut