The County of Edinburgh on the Beach

Artist Antonio Jacobsen

Period1902

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions18 × 30 in. (45.7 × 76.2 cm)

SignedSigned lower right, "Antonio Jacobsen 1902."

ClassificationsMarine and Seascapes

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, 1981

Object number1981.1.16

DescriptionThis painting depicts the grounding of the "County of Edinburgh" at Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, which occurred on 12 February 1900. The four-masted, steel-hulled sailing vessel is shown in a three-quarter view from the stern at low tide, in heavy but clear weather. Two Sea Bright skiffs from the U. S. Lifesaving Service are drawn up on the beach, and many sightseers have come for a closer look at the ship. The breeches buoy line is shown as still running out, but a ladder placed against the side of the vessel provided easier access. Even three carriages have been brought out on the sand, drawn by horses in bright plaid blankets. Several members of the crew are shown in the rigging, which has been delineated with unusual attention to detail and accuracy.
Curatorial RemarksAntonio Jacobsen, a native of Denmark, became one of the leading marine artists of the New York area in the late 19th century. He kept sketches of over 2,200 vessels, of which at least 750 were painted in oil. The majority of these works were ship portraits. Jacobsen’s most ambitious paintings, however, capture harbor activities or, more rarely, actual events like this scene at Point Pleasant Beach. The work is considered a masterpiece by this artist, and an important visual record of New Jersey’s maritime history. Because the painting has never been cleaned, one technique Jacobsen used can still be observed. He used a glossy varnish over the sandy beach and ocean to enhance the appearance of water, while finishing the sky with a matte varnish so that the effect of mist and clouds contrasted with the water areas.NotesThe County of Edinburgh, at 2,078 tons, was built by Barclay, Curle & Co. of Glasgow, Scotland, for R. J. Craig of the same city. The vessel, launched in 1885, spent about 25 years in Scottish registry carrying jute, tea, cotton, and wool to all parts of the globe. She set her best performances under Capt. F. W. J. Tode in the early twentieth century, calling at such ports as New York, Shanghai, Yokohama, Capetown, and Cardiff. While on a voyage from Cape Town, South Africa, to New York City, the County of Edinburgh ran aground on 12 February 1900 at the foot of Arnold Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach. This painting depicts the scene, probably on the morning after the incident. Visitors had come to investigate the wreck, which did very little damage to the vessel. By 25 February, the Merritt-Chapman Wrecking Co. had refloated the County of Edinburgh. After repairs, it left New York for Shanghai on 13 April. In March of 1903, the ship was sold to A. Witte of Bremen, Germany. The vessel was reduced to a barque, renamed the Frieda, and then sold again in 1914 to M. Lundquist of Mariehamn, now in Finland. Another wreck ended the career of the vessel. While carrying a load of timber, it stranded on South Rock, Down, England on 7 November 1916. She was declared a total loss and removed from service after a life of 31 years.

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