OUTSTANDING
Folk Art
Sidewinder Paddlesteamer
Sailing Ship 

American, ca. 1840-1860. Oil on canvas.

A striking maritime folk art painting depicting a sidewinder under both steam and sail.

The artist captures the vessel with clarity and directness, cutting cleanly through a choppy green sea beneath a luminous sky. The American ensign flies proudly at the stern, with additional signal flags aloft. Note the eagle figurehead (sailors believed that the sharp eyes of the eagle would be constantly on the lookout for hazards). Steam-powered sidewinder sailing ships first came into service about 1840. Initially, these ships were prone to mechanical failure, so early paddle wheelers were fitted with a full complement of masts, rigging, and sails due to captains’ mistrust of the new steam technology.

By 1860, they were reliable enough, and now significantly faster than sailing-ships, so the sailing apparatus, including spare sails, rope, and all things needed to sail were eliminated, creating space for passengers and their belongings, enabling much faster trans-Atlantic service for many more travelers. At the outbreak of the Civil War, it was found that the side paddlewheel could easily be disabled, so the paddlewheel in later ships moved behind the stern.

Terrific condition, with very minor in-painting and craquelure. The chamfered black painted frame appears original (with a bit of frame repair on the lower edge). Overall frame size is 35 ¾ inches x 25 ¼. Provenance includes private collections, Robert Thayer, Stephen-Douglas; Don Olson.