John Steven Dews
b.1949 | British

Cutty Sark Entering the River Thames

Signed "J Steven Dews" (lower left)
Oil on canvas

John Steven Dews demonstrates his skill for capturing the splendor of the historic clipper ship in this oil on canvas. Entitled Cutty Sark Entering the River Thames, the work brings vividly to life the historic clipper ship Cutty Sark as it returns home after a long journey. The majesty and grace of the historic vessel are perfectly realized in the present work, enhanced by Dew's mastery over composition and attention to detail. With his tranquil palette of light blues, whites and yellows, the artist imbues his canvas with the same sense of serenity that is felt at the end of a long journey.

Built in 1869, the Cutty Sark is a British clipper ship owned by the Jock Willis Shipping Line. Among the last and fastest of the tea clippers to be built, the vessel spent only a few years on the tea trade before turning to the wool trade from Australia, where she held the record time to Britain for ten years. Cutty Sark was later sold to the Portuguese company Ferreira and Co. in 1895, serving as a cargo ship until purchased by retired sea captain Wilfred Dowman in 1922. Today, the boat can be found at a permanent dry dock at Greenwich, London, where she is on public display.

Born in Yorkshire in 1949, Dews learned his trade at the Hull Regional College of Art after being turned down as a candidate at numerous naval academies. He turned to art to express his love for the sea, eventually building a sizable enough portfolio to mount his first exhibition in 1976. An astounding success, nearly the entire collection was sold on opening night, and Dews received 17 new commissions. Ever since his blockbuster opening, Dews has enjoyed remarkable success and critical acclaim, earning numerous prestigious commissions and awards to this day as one of Britain’s most sought-after living artists.