The Thomas Hunt and the America
A self-taught artist, Bard devoted his career to painting "portraits" of the steamboats and sailing ships that traversed the Hudson River and the waters surrounding Manhattan. He often received commissions from boat builders and operators. This rare double portrait represents his finest known work, featuring the steamboat Thomas Hunt and the yacht America—the latter having returned to New York from England after its celebrated victory in August 1851 in the first America’s Cup race. Bard captured the competition between sail and steam, celebrating the advances made in the design and engineering of these vessels.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Thomas Hunt and the America
- Artist: James Bard , American (1815-1897)
- Date: 1852
- Culture: American
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 34 1/4 × 64 1/2 in. (87 × 163.8 cm)
- Credit Line: Purchase, Gift of Dr. Ernest G. Stillman, by exchange, 2019
- Object Number: 2019.11
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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