Sailing yacht (ca. 1900) – Georges Fouillé, ca. 1950

YACHT FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF SAILING RACES

Gaff-rigged yacht in action, ca. 1900. Color lithograph with pochoir, created around 1950 by Georges Fouillé. Size: 39 × 23.8 cm.

A magnificent gaff-rigged sailing yacht cuts through the surf under full sail, including a gaff mainsail and a topsail. Yachts of this kind were built for offshore regattas at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. The slender bow, long overhang, and tall rig are characteristic of this period.Fouillé combines historical precision with graphic clarity; the scene is likely inspired by early 20th-century sailing competitions between Europe and the United States, such as the America’s Cup.

Georges Jean Clément Fouillé (1909–1994) was a French painter and printmaker specializing in maritime subjects. He is best known as a Peintre Officiel de la Marine, a prestigious title conferred by the French Navy in 1947. Interestingly, Fouillé had originally intended to pursue a naval career, but had to abandon this path due to health reasons. Instead, he turned to art, dedicating himself to ship portraits, seascapes, and historical sailing scenes. His depictions — whether of 18th-century frigates, 19th-century clippers, or 20th-century racing yachts — were widely praised for their accuracy and detail.

Price: Euro 225,-