Frank Hartman Wagner 1931- 1996
Painting of The America's Cup trials Yacht "American Eagle" by Frank H. Wagner, American, circa 1964. The painting depicts a close-in view of the 12 Meter Yacht "American Eagle" under sail. The yacht is featured at a slight angle and the entire red painted hull is shown. One can see a few sailors at the bow changing sail with white water splashing up on the side of the hull. The top of the mast is cut off in the image and one sees the very large blue spinnaker bellowing out from the starboard side of the boat. The water is very well painted and one can sense the rolling of the waves, the range of colors in the water - a result of the colors reflecting from the sky. The detail of the painting is excellent and is in-painted in the manner of Frank Wagner’s best work. (PA1061)
Condition of Painting: The painting was recently cleaned and is in excellent condition.
Condition of Fame: The painting has a new wood frame with a high gloss black painted finish.
Dimensions of Painting: Height 30 3/4, Width 46 1/4 inches.
Dimensions of Frame: Height 42, Width 57 5/8 inches.
Artist Background: Born on Long Island, Frank Wagner was a long-time New York City illustrator who, late in his career, became known for marine painting. He trained on a scholarship at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and at Pratt Institute in New York. This education was followed by a European Fellowship Grant by the Leopold Schepp Foundation for postgraduate work at the Rijksmuseum School in Amsterdam, Holland. At the Mystic Connecticut International Exhibition in 1988, he won an Award of Excellence. In 1994, he moved to England.
Note 1.: Built for the 1964 America’s Cup campaign, her keel was quite innovative compared with conventional Twelve lines and her mast passed through a raised section in the deck, gaining an extra few inches in height. She ran off a 20-1 record in the June-July trials, only to be overtaken by Constellation in the selection series. Still renowned for a 42-tack duel on the final windward leg of the second race.
NOTE 2: Robert E. “Ted” Turner, III converted her and installed an engine. She entered the most challenging races in the world winning the Southern Ocean Racing Circuit, the Annapolis-Newport Race and the Fastnet. She ruled the offshore waters, winning the first World Ocean Racing Championship and setting records in the distinguished S.O.R.C. , Fastnet and Sydney-Hobart Races. Ted Turner won the coveted "Yachtsman of the Year" award twice while owner/skipper of American Eagle.
SPECIFICATIONS:
LOA – 66′ 6”
LWL – 45′ 9”
Beam – 12’5”
Draft – 9’0”
Displacement – 54,700 lbs
Sail Area – 178sq. m
Designer – A. E. Luders, Jr.
Builder – Luders Marine Construction Co.
Note 3: Today "American Eagle" is in Newport and she has become a charter boat and is still sailing and looking great.
