Painting of the Clipper Ship Dreadnaught

Painting of the Clipper Ship Dreadnaught

Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description
Dreadnought was built in 1853 by Currier and Townsend in Newburyport, MA. The ship measured 212 feet in length, 41 feet 6 inches in beam, 26 feet 6 inches in depth of hold, and 1,414 tons. It sailed for the Red Cross Line of New York. The ship was originally intended for the "Racehorse Line" of California Clippers. It made 31 roundtrips between New York and Liverpool between 1853 and 1864. Under the command of Captain Cushing, it sailed between New York and San Francisco in 1864. On July 4, 1869 she drifted ashore and wrecked on Cape Penas, off Tierra del Fuego.
The painting shows the clipper ship with sails unfurled. Two other sailing vessels can be seen before and behind the ship. It is suspected that the painting is a fake. The signature dates the painting 1835 even thought the ship was not built until 1853. In addition, the paint was analyzed and found to be from the 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
painting
painting, oil
date made
ca 1920
maker
Conway, C.W.G.
Physical Description
oil on canvas (overall material)
Measurements
without frame: 24 1/4 in x 34 1/2 in; 61.595 cm x 87.63 cm
with frame: 26 1/2 in x 34 1/2 in; 67.31 cm x 87.63 cm
ID Number
2005.0279.017
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.017
Credit Line
Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
subject
Maritime
See more items in
Work and Industry: Maritime
Cigna Maritime Collection
Transportation
Art
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.

Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.