Antique Oil Painting of Uss Maine Battleship in the Havana Harbor

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The Maine at Sea
Anonymous Folk art painting of the historic American Battleship USS Maine

I have enjoyed this painting … Read more The Maine at Sea
Anonymous Folk art painting of the historic American Battleship USS Maine

I have enjoyed this painting personally for a while in my home in a nautical theme corner .
It makes quite a dramatic impact as it commands attention due to the impressive size and moody atmosphere of the dark and stormy seas. There is a terrific expressionistic quality from the hand of the painter. I feel the painter really captured something, a "je ne sais quoi" let's say, and was clearly inspired by the original 1895 painting and most likely made this painting from images shared around the country of lithographs distributed of the original painting

Maine was a United States Navy ship that sank in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898, contributing to the outbreak of the Spanish–American War in April. U.S. newspapers, engaging in yellow journalism to boost circulation, claimed that the Spanish were responsible for the ship's destruction. The phrase, "Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!" became a rallying cry for action. Although the Maine explosion was not a direct cause, it served as a catalyst that accelerated the events leading up to the war.


Image 31 1/2" x 22"
Framed 41 1/2" x 32" overall.
Oil on Vellum

Anonymous copy after famed painting by Frederick Nelson Atwood.
"Frederick Nelson Atwood, artist. USS MAINE, framed, Starboard quartering view of the ship. Sailing in moderate seas. Three-masted schooner off the port bow and a two-masted schooner off the port side. Cargo steamer off the aft of the ship. "Blown up in Havana Harbor, Feb. 15 1898 US Battleship Maine 6682 tons 9213 HP" "From painting owned by Brig. Gen'l. H.A. Wheeler IH, N.G."
The original is now in the US Navy art collection.

area of paint loss to frame LR
wear commensurate with age See less