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Category: PAINTERS
Born in Connecticut, the artist moved to New York City where he was employed in the manufacture and sales of silk thread. In 1880, he ventured into business for himself, taking commissions from owners to portray their well-known New York area yachts. As his reputation grew, he received many commissions from the elite New York Yacht Club.
Proving himself an adept creator of oil on canvas backgrounds (often with Long Island Sound as backdrop), he employed fine satin and plush velvet for the vessels' hulls. With intricate embroidery to accurately describe flags, rigging, and details, his unique artform may only be subscribed as a success.
From the most proper Victorian Age, works by Willis are individual pieces of Americana which serve as mementoes of the magnificent yachts in the great ‘city of ships’ around the turn of the century, during a height of upper class society widest involvement in maritime endeavors. Recently his grandson corrected his date of death as 1925, from previous published versions listing it as 1912.
| Thomas Willis - 17 PAINTINGS
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Schooner "America"
640x438
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The Yacht America Winner 1851
3219x2247
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The Yacht "America"
400x262
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Yacht America
1400x879
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The American yacht Dauntless
750x501
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THE CELEBRATED AMERICAN SCHOONER MAGIC UNDER FULL SAIL
750x513
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America's Cup Race, 1885, GENESTA vs. PURITAN, showing Sandy Hook Light Ship and Tug MARIA HOFFMANN
800x293
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AMERICA'S CUP YACHT RACE BETWEEN "PURITAN" & "GENESTA" SEPT. 24, 1885
1600x1000
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AMERICAN YACHT "VOLUNTEER", WINNER OF THE AMERICA'S CUP, 1887
750x629
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America's Cup race for 1889(?)
400x233
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The Defender in 95
3271x2190
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America's Cup 1899, Columbia leading Shamrock
1600x817
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America's Cup 1899, SHAMROCK and COLUMBIA
1000x629
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Two America's Cup yachts beating to windward
1000x605
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Schooner Racing Yacht COLUMBIA
3546x2977
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Reliance and Shamrock III race for the 1903 America's Cup
3307x1862
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Shamrock and Reliance III Crossing the Line
2500x1555
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