Marine Oil Painting The America's Cup In 1881 Defender Mischief Leading Atalanta





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Description



John Bentham-Dinsdale America’s Cup 1881 Mischief & Atalanta Oil Painting

John Bentham-Dinsdale (British, 1927–2008)

The Start of the 1881 America’s Cup Race

Original Signed Marine Oil Painting on Canvas, Circa 1981

Highlights

• Original signed marine oil painting by John Bentham-Dinsdale.
• Depicts the start of the 1881 America’s Cup race.
• Features the American defender Mischief and Canadian challenger Atalanta.
• Signed lower left by the artist.
• Additionally signed and extensively inscribed on the reverse.
• Artist’s inscription records technical specifications for Mischief.
• Artist’s catalogue reference “OP No. 999” inscribed verso.
• Strong auction and exhibition provenance.
• Retains a period Winsor & Newton/HERGA framing stamp.
• Presented in an impressive swept gilt frame.
• Excellent scale and substantial wall presence.
• Ready for immediate display.

Introduction

An impressive original marine oil painting by the celebrated British maritime artist John Bentham-Dinsdale (1927–2008), depicting the dramatic opening stages of the 1881 America’s Cup race.

The composition shows the American defender Mischief leading the Canadian challenger Atalanta as the contest begins off New York Harbour. A flotilla of steam yachts, excursion vessels, committee boats and spectator craft surrounds the competing yachts, conveying the scale and excitement of this celebrated Victorian sporting event.

Executed in oil on canvas circa 1981, the painting combines extensive historical research with Bentham-Dinsdale’s accomplished understanding of sailing vessels, rigging, maritime atmosphere and movement.

The reverse bears a detailed handwritten inscription by the artist recording the subject, shipbuilder, technical specifications and historical information relating to Mischief. It is additionally signed and inscribed with the artist’s catalogue reference “OP No. 999”.

Catalogue Details

Artist: John Bentham-Dinsdale

Artist’s dates: 1927–2008

Nationality: British

Title: The Start of the 1881 America’s Cup Race

Date: Circa 1981

Medium: Oil on canvas

Subject: Mischief and Atalanta at the start of the 1881 America’s Cup

Signature: Signed John Bentham-Dinsdale lower left

Verso: Signed, extensively inscribed and numbered “OP No. 999”

Frame: Swept gilt frame

Additional mark: Winsor & Newton/HERGA framing stamp

Presentation: Framed and ready to hang

Catalogue Note

Bentham-Dinsdale captures the grandeur and excitement of late nineteenth-century yacht racing with remarkable attention to historical and nautical detail.

The American defender Mischief dominates the composition. Her elegant black hull moves confidently across the water beneath an expanse of illuminated cream sailcloth. Following astern is the Canadian challenger Atalanta, carefully positioned to establish both the narrative of the race and a convincing sense of distance.

The artist’s architectural training is evident in the precise treatment of rigging, spars, hull profiles and sail plans. The competing yachts are rendered with technical clarity while remaining fully integrated within the broader atmospheric composition.

Numerous contemporary steam yachts, excursion vessels, committee boats and spectator craft surround the racers. Their dark hulls, funnels and pale superstructures provide visual contrast while illustrating the enormous public interest generated by America’s Cup racing during the Victorian era.

Bentham-Dinsdale employs a refined marine palette of ivory sailcloth, black hulls, cobalt and slate-blue water, silvery greys and softly illuminated clouds. Small highlights across the sea suggest movement and reflected light, while the expansive sky gives the scene depth and scale.

The result is both a carefully researched historical record and a highly accomplished work of twentieth-century British marine art.

The Vessels

The foreground yacht Mischief was the American defender of the 1881 America’s Cup.

Designed by American naval architect Archibald Cary Smith and built by Harlan & Hollingsworth of Wilmington, Delaware, Mischief was constructed of iron at a time when most racing yachts were still wooden. This unusual construction contributed to her nickname, “The Iron Pot”.

Mischief was owned by Joseph Richard Busk and commanded by yacht captain Nathanael “Than” Clock. She successfully defended the America’s Cup against the Canadian challenger Atalanta.

Atalanta was owned by Alexander Cuthbert and represented the Bay of Quinte Yacht Club. Bentham-Dinsdale portrays her following Mischief as the race begins to unfold.

The yachts are accompanied by an extensive spectator fleet, communicating the enormous popularity and international importance of the competition.

The Race

The painting depicts the fifth contest for the America’s Cup, held off New York Harbour in 1881.

By this date, the America’s Cup had developed into one of the world’s most prestigious sailing competitions and an important symbol of technological innovation, naval architecture and national pride.

Mischief’s successful defence reinforced American dominance of the competition and secured her position among the notable early defenders in America’s Cup history.

Bentham-Dinsdale selected the opening of the race as his subject, capturing the moment when Mischief establishes an early advantage while surrounded by the busy fleet of spectator and official vessels.

The Artist

John Bentham-Dinsdale (1927–2008) was a respected British maritime painter known for his detailed and extensively researched depictions of historic sailing ships, naval engagements, tea clippers, racing yachts and important maritime events.

Originally trained in architecture, he brought a strong understanding of structure, proportion and technical detail to his marine compositions. His paintings combine careful historical research with dramatic skies, convincing water effects and strong decorative appeal.

Bentham-Dinsdale’s habit of recording historical information and technical specifications on the reverse of his paintings has made his work especially appealing to collectors of maritime art and nautical history.

His paintings are held in private collections internationally and continue to be sought after for their combination of documentary interest and accomplished marine painting.

Signed & Inscribed

Signed lower left:

John Bentham-Dinsdale

The reverse is additionally signed and extensively inscribed by the artist.

The principal inscription identifies the subject as:

“The America’s Cup 1881
The start of the race
The defender Mischief leading
followed by the challenger Atlanta.”

The official name of the Canadian yacht was Atalanta. The use of “Atlanta” appears to be a spelling variation within the artist’s inscription.

The artist also records that Mischief was built by Harlan & Hollingsworth at Wilmington, Delaware.

Further handwritten notes include the following approximate technical specifications:

• Waterline length: 61 feet.
• Cabin trunk: 30 feet.
• Cockpit length: 9 feet.
• Mast to hounds: 63 feet 6 inches.
• Topmast: 41 feet.
• Main boom: 62 feet 6 inches.
• Spinnaker boom: 43 feet 8 inches.

The inscription also refers to Cup trials involving the competing sloops Hildegard and Pocahontas.

The reverse concludes with the artist’s signature and catalogue reference:

John Bentham-Dinsdale

OP No. 999

Provenance

• Private Collection.
• Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood, The Spring Auction of Ceramics & Glass and Works of Art, Lot 633.
• Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.
• Privately loaned to and exhibited with the Famous Lord Hill Museum.
• Retaining a period Winsor & Newton/HERGA framing stamp.

Framing & Presentation

Presented in an impressive swept gilt frame that complements the historic yachting subject and provides excellent display presence.

The frame displays age-related rubbing, cracking, scuffs, chips, minor imperfections and areas of gilt loss. It remains stable and highly decorative.

The painting is ready for immediate wall display.

Dimensions

Canvas:

Height: 51 cm / 20.1 inches

Width: 76 cm / 29.9 inches

Framed:

Height: 64.5 cm / 25.4 inches

Width: 90 cm / 35.4 inches

Depth: 5.5 cm / 2.2 inches

All measurements are approximate.

Condition Report

Offered in good overall condition.

The canvas remains stable and displays well, retaining strong colour and excellent visual impact.

Age-related surface wear is present, consistent with the painting’s age and previous handling. Areas of foxing or staining are visible within parts of the sky and lower sea.

The swept gilt frame displays rubbing, cracking, scuffs, chips, minor imperfections and areas of gilt loss commensurate with age and use.

Despite these age-related characteristics, the painting presents attractively and remains ready for immediate display.

Please examine all listing photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition report. Historic works of art may retain evidence of age, restoration and previous ownership.



Reserve: $16,200.00

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