Artwork
Steamship "Erie"
Steamship "Erie" is an oil painting. It dates from 1837 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The canvas depicts the steamship Erie navigating turbulent waters under a storm‑laden sky.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:on side of ship: ERIE; on forward banner, reversed: U.S.M.; on second banner from right, reversed: ERIE.
About this work
Technique & Style
Steamship "Erie" is an oil on canvas marine painting, executed in a medium and on a support consistent with American nineteenth-century practice.
Steamship "Erie" is an oil on canvas marine painting, executed in a medium and on a support consistent with American nineteenth-century practice. The work measures 56.6 cm in height by 75.1 cm in width, a modest horizontal format suited to its subject. Classified as a painting, it belongs to the marine genre and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
The sources do not provide further detail on specific handling, brushwork, condition, or stylistic classification beyond the basic medium, support, dimensions, and genre.
History & Provenance
Steamship "Erie" is dated probably 1837 and is recorded as originating from Staten Island, New York. The documented ownership chain begins with George Sturgis Fortson, from whom Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch acquired the painting in 1962. The Garbischs subsequently bequeathed it to the National Gallery of Art in 1980, where it remains in the collection.
The donors' records do not clarify whether Fortson was a dealer or whether he had any direct connection to Staten Island. No commission details or earlier provenance prior to Fortson are recorded in the available documentation, and no exhibition history is documented in the provided sources.
Legacy
The painting's legacy is anchored by its inclusion in the National Gallery of Art's collection, where it has been held since 1980. Its significance as a marine work from the American 19th century is reflected in its classification and provenance, tracing its journey from Staten Island to public stewardship. Its influence on broader artistic movements remains undocumented in available records.
The painting's recorded dimensions, 56.6 cm in height and 75.1 cm in width, form part of its documented physical profile, contributing to its study within marine art of the period.
Overview
The canvas depicts the steamship Erie navigating turbulent waters under a storm‑laden sky. The vessel, rendered in white with gold trim, bears an American flag and additional pennants, while a plume of smoke issues from its funnel. Rough waves and dark clouds surround the ship, emphasizing the drama of the moment.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a moment of maritime travel, highlighting the power and resilience of a 19th‑century steamship confronting nature’s forces. The presence of flags and passengers on deck suggests national pride and the human element of commerce and exploration amid perilous conditions.
Artist & collection
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