Edit Object 812

This important large work from Norton is most certainly a scene of the active waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Within its impressive boundaries, a full-rigged, wide-bodied merchant ship crests the prevailing tide to clear a headland that will soon be distant. Are these the chalky cliffs of Dover, and this ship an American headed home? Norton, true to almost all of his accomplished works, chose not to identify the specifics of the very real scene he painted.

Norton's early sea experience combined with his finely honed artistic skills produced paintings that were at once captivating and filled with precise nautical realism. This work shows a fine day to be out on the water, clear and bright with excellent sailing conditions. From the crisp detail of the sailing ship in the foreground to the hint of a steamer smoking along and the stern impression of a large passenger liner on the horizon, this painting beautifully captures an uplifted sense of promise for the travels at sea.

The title, although a common phrase,represents the heart of what the artist has bestowed to the scene. It is a shining example of his repertoire that other paintings may only hope to match. Some of his finest works were painted early in his career in New York, and he later painted a substantial number in European coastal waters. It is probable that Norton himself was onboard one of the ships depicted, and caught the moment in his sketches, from which he painted this work during his New York residency. It is telling that it was owned early on by a medical college, since he also practiced in that profession after his first career at sea.

Select a Type
American Ship Portrait
Barometers
Bells
Binnacles & Compasses
Binoculars
Book Maritime
Book Voyages
Books
Books General
Boylhart Collection
Builders Full Models
Builders Half-Model
Canes - Decorative
Canes - Gimmick
Cannons
Carving
Chronometers
Clocks
Contemporary Art
Contemporary Models
Decorative Art - Boxes
Dieppe Models
Diorama Models
Diving Helmets & Equipment
Dockyard Models
Edged Weapons
Engravings
Figureheads
Firearms
Fishing Equipment
Folk Art Models
Furniture
Glass and Pottery
Globes
Jewelry
Joe & Lisa's Art Collection
Lamps
Letters
Lighthouse Artifacts
Limited-Edition Prints
Lithographs
Maps & Charts
Marine Narrative
Marine Narrative at Sea
Medical
Microscopes
Miscellaneous Artifacts
Navigation Instruments - Compass
Navigation Instruments
Navigation Instruments - Sextant
Octants, Quadrants & Backstaffs
Original art
Other Models
Painted Photograph
Passenger Liner Memorabilia
Patent Models
Period Models
Photographs
Pond Models
Pottery
Prints
Prisoner-of-War Artifacts
Prisoner-of-War Models
Sailor Crafts
Sailor Valentines
Sailor Woolworks
Scrimshaw Artifacts
Scrimshaw Private
Scrimshaw Teeth
Sea Chests
Sextants
Ship Clocks
Ship Hardwares
Ship in a Bottle
Ship Log Books
Ships Flogging Whip
Signed Documents
Silver and Silver Plated Models
Speaking Trumpets
Statues
Steam Engine Models
Steam Models
Sundials
Sword
Tankards & Pitchers
Telescopes
Tillers, Rudders & Yokes
Toy Models
Trinity Boxes
Trophys & Presentions
Voyages & Travels
Watches
Whaling