The Steam Yacht Eugenia in the Bay of Naples
Antonio de Simone (1877-1910), Italian, 1893
Gouache on paper, signed and inscribed lower margins, 11 ½ x 17 ½ inches, framed 20 ¾ x 26 ⅜ inches.

Eugenia, a 72′ steam yacht, was built in 1893, was designed by John Brown Herreshoff (1841-1915) and built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in Bristol, Rhode Island. It was named Eugenia for John Brown’s wife. Herreshoff sailing yachts dominated national and international regattas, and Herreshoff steam yachts were among the world’s fastest. With them came worldwide fame and prestige.

J.B. would build and own four steam yachts with this same name: Eugenia (1894, later Marjorie), Eugenia II (1895, later Polyanthus), Eugenia III (1899, later Empress, then Princess), and Eugenia IV (1902). The yacht portrayed here is a two-masted vessel with black hull flying the United States Yacht ensign in the Bay of Naples with Mt. Etna in the background.

Antonio de Simone was among a family of Italian ship portrait artists. They produced a large number of gouaches which mainly portray British and American Sailing or Steam Yachts on Mediterranean trips visiting the Bay of Naples.

$2,500