Portrait of the a steam-assisted British Schooner-Yacht at sea 1884 - the vessel is shown under moderate sail and steam on a calm sea in the Bay of Naples, crew is shown on deck - Gouache on paper, 22,5 x 33 cm - signed lower right and dated, on the first mast are shown the identification flags and on the second mast the Yacht Club burgee, on the last mast the Blue Ensign - in a period maple frame, good condition - Oporto Collection Portugal

Note: From the yacht burgee it can be supposed that this very large Schooner Yacht belonged to the RLYC (Royal London Yacht Club, founded 1836). The sign of the Yacht Club also appears on the Blue Ensign. The De Simone family were the leading Ship Portrait Artists in the port of Naples during the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th Century. They reported many of the fine Yachts owned by British, Continental and American Gentleman (often Industrial Tycoons) who visited this harbour during their cruises in the Mediterranean Sea. This is for a De Simone gouache an early work and was most likely executed by Antonio De Simone, but probably also by another member of this family, except of Tomaso DeS. who worked in a different style.