Antonio Jacobsen observed and recorded on canvas a dramatic cross section of the ships that sailed the world's oceans during one of the most fascinating periods in maritime history, the era of the crossover between sail and steam.

This portrait shows the 719-ton Screw Steamer MANTEO, built by the yard of Pusey and Jones at Wilmington, Delaware in 1887 for the E.O. Flood Company of New York. When launched MANTEO's dimensions were recorded as 204' L x 26' B x 18' D. She carried cargo and passengers on mainly coastal runs until 1934./

The artist has portrayed MANTEO in ballast riding high in the water with buff colored topsides and four prominent flags; jack on the bow, name pennant at the fore, house flag at the main and the U.S. Ensign flying on her stern staff. Jacobsen's meticulous rendering of her lines, superstructure and deck arrangement is in keeping with his reputation as one of America's premier ship portraitists.