Frederick Cozzens. Plate IV. American Yachts...New York: Charles Scribner, 1884. Sold

Plate 4  Off Brenton’s Reef

Frederic Schiller Cozzens (American 1846-1928) was an immensely talented, self-taught marine artist.  His specialty was watercolor paintings and his popularity grew with his paintings of the early New York Yacht Club boats and racing events. He was usually commissioned by the boat's owners to create lasting portraits of their vessels.

In 1884 Cozzens decided to offer his paintings to a wider audience in the form of color lithographs called chromolithographs. This printing technique utilizing various lithographic stones for various colors, beautifully replicated the appearance of an oil or watercolor painting, and allowed the image to be printed with colored inks, rather than being hand colored.

He produced a portfolio of 27 chromolithographs titled, American Yachts, Their Clubs and Races. The portfolio was accompanied by a text written by Lieutenant James Douglas Jerrold Kelley, describing the lithographs. Cozzens used arguably the best art printer of the day, Armstrong of Boston to produce the lithographs and the set was issued by Charles Scribner's & Sons of New York.

Picturing the cutters Wenonah in the center with Oriva on the right and Ileen in the left background. The race was over an ocean course of 275 miles. Cutters had long been popular with English yachtsmen and now this type of boat was beginning to become known and appreciated in the States.

Chromolithograph
Archivally framed measuring23” x 29.5 inches outside frame, 13.5 x 20 inches sight.
Excellent condition.