Charles Sidney Raleigh, b. 1830, Gloucester, England, d. 1925, Bourne, MA. Charles Sidney Raleigh grew up in Gloucester, England, and ran away to sea when he was only ten years old. After thirty years as a merchant seaman, he married and settled in Massachusetts. He advertised himself as a “house, sign, ornamental, and carriage painter,” far from the truth, he painted more than six hundred images of whaling vessels and designed the official seals for the town of Bourne and for the Smithsonian Institution. Raleigh's experience at sea did not include working on a whaler, he knew these vessels and their captains well and was thus able to render the ships with authenticity, polished and detailed--he is known to have used fine brushes with as few as two or three hairs in order to paint accurately the rigging on each vessel. Oil on canvas. 58.5" x 38.75", sight 53.5" x 33.5". Good antique condition, canvas has been lined, stretcher has been replaced, and shows heavy craquelure, or hairline cracks, with areas of damage, including pin sized holes at edge, near frame.
