A fleet of racing sloops battle each other and the notorious deep currents of the Solent, as they pass by the Needles at the western edge of the Isle of Wight. The Needles Lighthouse is 86 feet high and rising in monochromatic glory above the pinnacles in this tonal work by maritime master Montague Dawson. The air is clear enough that the people in the deep cockpits of the 6-metre plum-bowed racing sloops can see the other competitors well enough.
Painted in his early post-World War II period, Dawson continued to produce fine detailed finished works occasionally in the solitary grey tones of grisaille. While it takes a bit more effort of introspective viewing to notice it all, the detail and perfect composition of the painting make this fine yachting work. Dawson's recognition as one of the world's leading marine artists is enhanced by such diversity of maritime subjects and media he used. By the 1930s he recognized and defined his own style as "growing more and more loose" in atmosphere, and his seas take on a defined and recognizable technique, even when portrayed exclusively in tonal values.
Paintings by the artist continues to be in steady demand and active in public markets. The scarcity of yachting scenes make any which come up for sale highly desirable. This composition needs no additional boost, with its fine artistic qualities and the scene set in its Southern English location to the premier home of international yacht racing.
