J-Class sailing yacht – Georges Fouillé, ca. 1950

J-CLASS YACHT FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF SAILING RACES

Marconi-Rigged Sailing Yacht Under Full Sail, ca. 1930. Color lithograph with pochoir, created around 1950 by Georges Fouillé. Size: 39 × 23.8 cm.

Depicted is a seaworthy racing yacht with a so-called Marconi or Bermuda rig: a tall, narrow sail that runs straight up along the mast without a gaff. This type of rig became popular in the 1920s and 1930s and came to define the fast, streamlined yachts that competed in prestigious regattas. The composition shows the yacht at full speed, sails billowing, with the crew actively engaged. Fouillé captures the sense of power and elegance with striking clarity.

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,-