1861 "September—Society Yachting" Hand Colored Print, Framed

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"September—Society Yachting" is a plate from the Christmas 1861 issue of THE QUEEN, an illustrated journal and review about the … Read more "September—Society Yachting" is a plate from the Christmas 1861 issue of THE QUEEN, an illustrated journal and review about the goings-on at the court of Queen Victoria and among British society. It was part of a series, "The Year in Society." The picture was colored and framed in the latter 20th C.

According to The Queen, September is for shipboard talent shows. The composition of a group of upper crusters on a moonlit sail is a remarkable bit of story telling with numerous characters each enacting his or her own inner drama.
It stars, center stage, a young society belle, (in danger of being suffocated by her skirts) serenading her friends while accompanying herself on a small guitar—Probably some plaintive ditty about moonlight and love. Seated behind her is her widowed mother acting as chaperone but totally zonked on Madeira. She's getting it on with the man in the forked beard who is eager to find a lover with more upper body strength, perhaps the the lady in pink. Said damsel is in love with the singer's brother so she pretends to admire the performance.
The men far left and far right are both suiters to the soloist. They hope their bored and vacant postures will be taken for expressions of languid love. Both are the fortune hunters. He on the left with the long sideburns is the younger son of an embarrassed Scottish earl. The other pretends his father owns coal mines, but is just a young humbug from Leeds. The gentleman covering his face is not overcome with sadness from the tragic love song but is trying desperately to escape to a happy place where he is not seasick.
At the rail are a newly betrothed couple. He is pointing out a jellyfish, but she insists it is a drowned child in a lace gown. Finally there is the helmsman who is scanning the bay for some sharp rocks to dash the yacht upon and drown the whole silly and useless lot.

The ladies are painted into bright colored dresses. The men are a bit less colorful.

White ribbed wood frame with pink wash. Mounted with white mat.

MEASURES 18" x 14" x 1" framed

Very good pre-owned condition. No apparent damage. See less