Nautical Nostalgia: Discovering the Maritime Art of John Stobart
- Jennifer Wing
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
Have you ever stumbled something that just spoke to you?
Several months ago, on a spontaneous Saturday drive, we stopped at the Middleboro Antique Co-op, a treasure trove of vintage finds where countless collectors display their curated pieces. My family loves wandering through places like this, hunting for unique items and pieces of the past.
As I wandered from room to room, I found myself inexplicably drawn to a display of old books. Nestled among them, hidden in plain sight, was an absolute gem: Stobart: The Rediscovery of America's Maritime Heritage. A beautifully bound book showcasing the artwork of John Stobart. At the time, I had never heard of the artist, but as I flipped through the pages, I felt an instant connection.
Many of the paintings featured in the book were of familiar places such as: Westport, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Boston. Breathtaking scenes not far from places we not only recognize but have been to, each captured in stunning detail and with such emotion. For just $5, I figured I could carefully remove and frame a few of the pages to hang in our home.
I’ve always been drawn to harbor scenes, and the thought of surrounding ourselves with this kind of beauty every day was too good to pass up.
It wasn’t until much later, after I had removed and framed some of the prints, that we discovered something remarkable: the book was signed by John Stobart himself. That small surprise sparked a deep curiosity, and I soon found myself diving down a rabbit hole to learn more about the artist behind the work that now hangs in our home.
John Stobart was born in Derby, England in 1929 and went on to become one of the most renowned maritime painters of the 20th century. After studying at the Royal Academy Schools in London, he moved to Canada and later to the United States, where he found his true passion in painting America’s historic ports and harbors. Stobart’s work combines historical accuracy with vivid imagination, often reconstructing scenes from the 1800s in breathtaking detail. His dedication to preserving maritime history through art earned him widespread recognition and countless admirers. He eventually settled in Massachusetts, making our connection to him and his art feel even more personal.
We’re now officially Stobart-obsessed. Knowing that he was not only a master of his craft but also a local artist has made us even more excited to explore his work further. He led an extraordinary life, and I love that we’ve unintentionally brought a piece of it into our home.
While I’m a little heartbroken that I only discovered his signature after removing the pages from the book, I’ve decided to embrace it as part of the journey. We’re now on the hunt for a signed print to add to our collection—and who knows, maybe we’ll stumble across another hidden gem on a future Saturday drive.
Bio and Gallery links:
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