In Memoriam: British maritime painter John Stobart, 93

‘Clipper Ship Dashing Wave Entering the Golden Gate, San Francisco,’ a work by British maritime painter John Stobart, who died on March 2 at age 93. Image courtesy of Rehs Contemporary Galleries, Inc.

NEW YORK – John Stobart, one of the world’s most renowned maritime artists, died on March 2. He was 93 years old. The death was confirmed by his gallery, Rehs Contemporary Galleries, Inc.

Stobart is widely celebrated for his breathtaking depictions of historic maritime scenes both at sea and in important port cities. His works can be found in the collections of museums, corporations and private collectors around the world. Born in Leicester, England, Stobart developed an early appreciation for the landscape; he always considered himself a landscape painter at heart. But at the age of eight, a visit to his grandmother’s home in the north allowed him an excursion to the port of Liverpool – at the time, the busiest port in England. This sparked his lifelong desire to capture the excitement of world trade that comes to life in a port. Stobart would go on to study at the Derby College of Art and the Royal Academy in London, where he developed his skills in composition and perspective.

After that first exposure to a busy port, Stobart’s passion for the sea and ships grew, leading him to pursue a career in maritime art. Shortly after completing his service in the Royal Air Force, Stobart received a gift from his father: a ticket to board a ship destined for Cape Town, South Africa – his first ocean voyage. The adventure provided the young artist with a detailed understanding of how ships and ports function on a daily basis. Around this time, Stobart first had the idea that British shipping companies might be interested in paintings of their ships in exotic port cities. Not only was he right, but this idea laid the foundation for Stobart’s entire body of work.

By the early 1960s, shipping companies weren’t just buying his paintings but commissioning works and sponsoring his travel overseas. If you ever had the chance to speak with Stobart, he would likely tell you his “life was a series of miracles.” One of the most notable of these miracles happened early in his career: On a train ride from Toronto to New York City, Stobart unknowingly befriended Donald Holden, the editor of American Artist Magazine. That unlikely meeting would lead him to Kennedy Galleries, which would host Stobart’s first solo exhibition in 1967.

British marine painter John Stobart in an undated photo. He died March 2 at the age of 93. Image courtesy of Rehs Contemporary Galleries, Inc.

Stobart became known for his attention to detail and his ability to capture the atmosphere and mood of historic ports. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the best in his field and was soon exhibiting his paintings in galleries throughout North America and Europe. In 1970, Stobart emigrated to the United States and settled in the coastal town of Darien, Connecticut. Later, while the family lived in the Washington, D.C. area, he established the Atlantic Gallery near his Georgetown studio – the first of five galleries. He continued to produce stunning works that captured the imagination of collectors and enthusiasts alike. His compositions include views of locations such as Boston Harbor, New York Harbor, San Francisco Bay, Pittsburgh, Hilton Head, Venice, London, Bermuda, and Cape Town.

While Stobart enjoyed making his ships and structures historically precise, he also incorporated a deep love for friends and family. Throughout his oeuvre, Stobart consistently renamed dinghies and port-side shops after those who meant the most to him. Several of his later works are also fondly known for their inclusion of a well-hidden wine bottle. He would routinely tell the tale of the time his son, Bill, exclaimed that a supposedly completed painting was, in fact, incomplete as his father forgot the bottle. Stobart had not realized Bill was paying such close attention, but it became their little game from then on.

In 1978, Stobart became one of the founding members and vice president of the American Society of Marine Arts (ASMA), an organization dedicated to acknowledging, fostering and advancing the field of marine art and maritime history. Through its various initiatives, ASMA promotes collaboration and open dialog among artists, art teachers, art students, publishers and other individuals engaged in creative pursuits that pertain to marine art and the rich history surrounding it.

In addition to his artistic achievements, Stobart was a generous philanthropist. He established the Stobart Foundation to support recently graduated artists, particularly those influenced by the history and tradition of the plein-air painters, in their transition to becoming professional artists. Stobart recognized, from personal experience, that this time is crucial in an artist’s development. His goal was to offer an environment of support and provide financial assistance at a time when the artist’s energies and resources were at their lowest point.

Stobart is survived by his wife Anne; his three children, Diana Wild, Elizabeth Stobart, and Bill Stobart from his first wife, Kay Stobart; his son-in-law Fred Wild; daughter-in-law Sherry Stobart; three grandchildren, Sam, Lilly and Zoe; and three great grandchildren, Layana, Lucas and Reggie. A private memorial service will be held for family members. Donations in Stobart’s memory may be made to the Stobart Foundation. For more information, please contact howard@rehs.com.