The Second Eleven, [1988] / by John Steven Dews

ML 1528

fonds

[1988]

Graphic Materials, Paintings

9621342

1 painting - 76.5 x 152.5 cm - oil on canvas

The Australian Bicentennial Authority (ABA) planned a 'Parade of Sail' for the centerpiece of the 1988 Australia Day celebrations, an idea borrowed from the US Bicentenary of 1976. Rivalling this venture was Jonathan King's plan for a First Fleet reenactment, conceived in 1977, to sail 11 square-rigged sailing vessels from Portsmouth to Sydney via Tenerife, Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town and Mauritius, attempting to follow the same route as the original First Fleet. ABA declined to fund the reenactment venture, which went ahead with private funding. Seven ships began the voyage, departing Portsmouth in May 1987, with others joining the fleet in London; Soren Larsen, R. Tucker Thompson, Anna Kristina, Amorina, Tradewind, Our Svanen, and Bounty. One and All joined the fleet in Cape Town and the final ship, Eye on the Wind, joined off Fremantle for the final leg. On the morning of 26 January 1988, the fleet sailed from Botany Bay, where they had anchored for several days, and sailed through Sydney Heads into Sydney Harbour at 10.30am on Australia Day. The reenactment fleet was joined by a flotilla of 200 tall ships from 40 countries and on the same day, these ships, along with the reenacting ships, participated in a Parade of Sail down the harbour.

John Steven Dews (b. 1949) is an internationally respected contemporary marine artist. Born in Yorkshire, England, he moved to New Zealand at a later stage. His subjects range from the Battle of Trafalgar to contemporary yachts including a commission from Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, who won the America's Cup in 2003 and 2007, to paint all years he had participated in the race. Meticulous in detail, his understanding of his subject has developed through his personal interest in sailing and the sea and he has gained an international reputation working as an official artist for many of the world's most important yachting events.

Reference:
Library correspondence file

Commissioned from the artist by the original owner (private collection), then sold by Sothebys, Lot 69, August 2004.

The Second Eleven by John Steven Dews depicts the reenactment of the First Fleet for the Australia Day Bicentennial celebrations and shows the eleven tall masted ships entering Sydney Harbour on the morning of 26 January 1988. Dews has portrayed all eleven ships entering through Sydney Heads in a line, rather than in their actual formation. The flagship, Soren Larsen, with Coke branding on the top sail, is the focal point. Dews has also depicts sponsorship logos on a number of sails such as Australia Post, Mobil, Hanimex, and Chase Corporation, and flying above is an airship advertising Kodak. A military flyover of aeroplanes and a helicopter is visible, as well as crowds of people gathered at North Head watching the entry of the ships into the harbour.

The ships depicted from left to right: Tradewind, Amorina, Solway Lass, Our Svanen, Eye of the Wind, Soren Larson, R. Tucker Thompson, One and All, Anna Kristina, Bounty, and Leeuwin. A red tugboat is positioned on the far right.

Copyright status:: In copyright - Life of creator plus 70 years
Copyright holder:: John Steven Dews
Approval for reproduction required: from copyright holder
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Signed J. Steven Dews lower left