George Drury (b.1950) - Britannia Racing on the Solent - 1893 Season

George Drury is a British maritime artist who specialises in yacht racing paintings. This oil painting depicts the royal cutter Britannia racing on the Solent in 1893. It was made for the Queen Victoria's son Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales. The future King used it for racing and later as monarch for cruising. 
 
This painting shows the famous race between Britannia and most likely the American yacht Navahoe. The Sydney Morning Herald ran the following report on 16th September 1893: 'The judges have reversed their decision in the match between the Prince of Wales's cutter-yacht Britannia and Mr Carroll's American yacht Navahoe, from Cowes to Cherbourg and back, when the Britannia was reported to have beaten the Navahoe by two seconds. The race has been awarded to the Navahoe.'

Britannia was raced with great success by the Prince of Wales and later by his son, King George V, who converted her to the Bermuda-rigged J-Class to compete with the modern yachts of the 1930s. Following the King’s instructions, she was sunk off the Isle of Wight after his death in 1936. Construction of a replica began in 1994.
 
Medium: oil on board, signed l.l. 'G Drury', 38 x 48cm (framed 47.6 x 57.5cm). Inscribed verso ''Britannia' Racing on the Solent - 1893 Season' and signed by the artist along with his email address.
 
Condition report: generally very good for its age. There are a few small marks on the painting including a pencil outline on the left hand-side (this appears to be done by the artist to depict land). The frame shows a small bit of wear. Please see photos.