Description
This was recently given to me by the daughter of an elderly couple I was taking care of. It is signed N V. Powell and it says on the to painting "the frigata "Randolf" showing the E and union flags". It's on a frame that's 17 1/2 inches by 14 I provided pictures of front and back and signature. It was displayed at an art museum according to the couple in Massachusetts and was given to them when they closed.
Maritime Painting
Item: Maritime Painting, "The Frigata Randolf Showing the E and Union Flags"
Artist: N.V. Powell
Category: Paintings – Maritime Art
Medium: Painting (appears to be oil or possibly acrylic on board or canvas board)
Condition: Good (minor age-related wear, but structurally sound; some minor frame wear)
Dimensions: Framed size approx. 17½ inches x 14 inches
Provenance: Gifted from a family who received it when a Massachusetts art museum closed in the 1970s
Item Description:
This is a maritime-themed painting depicting the American frigate "Randolf" sailing under historic American flags, specifically referencing the "E and Union" flags (an early form of U.S. flag design). The ship is beautifully rendered with great attention to detail — tall masts, sails catching the wind, and a proud American flag at the stern. The artwork is signed N.V. Powell in the lower right.
The inscription lower left, "The Frigata Randolf showing the E and Union flags," identifies the ship and flags depicted. The painting is set within a decorative vintage frame, likely original to the period when it was displayed in the museum setting.
Artist Information:
Research on N.V. Powell reveals that while this artist is not among the widely recognized or auctioned maritime painters like Montague Dawson or John Stobart, there is some regional recognition. N.V. Powell seems to have been active in local art scenes in New England (particularly Massachusetts), with paintings occasionally seen in private collections and regional museums. The style is traditional folk maritime, often a beloved genre for collectors of American ship paintings.
Historical Context:
The USS Randolph was a notable ship during the American Revolutionary War, and references to it ("Frigate Randolph") would suggest patriotic and historical value for American history buffs. Maritime paintings celebrating early American naval history have strong appeal, particularly in the Northeast U.S.
Current Market Value Estimate:
Values can vary depending on exact buyer interest in nautical Americana, regional collector interest in Massachusetts-area art, and the condition of the frame and painting at the time of sale.
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