Petite James Stuart Blackton Steamship Oil Painting

Circa 1895: James Stuart Blackton (1875-1941) was born in England and emigrated to the United States with his family in 1885. A true renaissance man, Blackton was a skilled painter, illustrator, cartoonist, and reporter who also did stage work and made his fame as a movie producer in the silent film era. This beautiful small oil on artist board painting of the iron screw steamer Leonard J. Busby measures 5.5" x 8.5" and is housed in a 10" x 13" frame. The ship, named for its owner Leonard J. Busby (1846-1908), an American financier and industrialist, was luanched in 1894, and, judging by the Blackton's signature punctuated with a period, the painting was probably done sometime around that date. This pleasant and colorful little oil on board is highly detailed with flags and sailors and even a sailboat in the background and is in excellent condition with no signs of touch up. The period (and likely original) frame is in good condition with a few typical minor bumps and bruises and displays very well.