The northern California coast is often shrouded in fog, especially in the summer months. But when the fog begins to burn off, scenes of striking beauty such as this emerge. This painting shows SEA FOAM, built by Thomas Petersen at Mendocino in 1873, just in from San Francisco, waiting to load under one of the lumber chutes. The stern of GALATEA, built by Petersen at little river just south of Mendocino in 1875, frames the mid-morning scene. Both vessels were owned by Mendocino Lumber Company.
This work shows the artists superb talent at capturing light and atmosphere in his narrative marine paintings. This scene of the Mendocino River on California's northern coast, is timeless in its depiction of the prevailing light conditions and charm of the area.
Historically, the work provides an accurate view of two of California's long forgotten "mast and a half" lumber schooners. These sturdy vessels were designed to work the notorious "dog hole" anchorages (so called because only the most daring "sea dogs" would risk entering them) of the Pacific lumber trade. David Thimgan was one of the few artists, or historians for that matter, with a working knowledge of these obscure vessels as well as the anchorages along the coast.
During the artist's lifetime this painting was selected to be featured in a Inchescompilation brochure of the best of the artist's work."
Rich in charm and historic detail, this work is a fine example of the artist's abiding interest in the coastal trade of America's western seacoast. Skillfully rendered, the images of David Thimgan offer a precise vision of what the beautiful and dangerous coasting trade was like.
This painting is framed but we do not yet have a photo of the framed piece.
