Pair of Paintings: The Silver Cloud and Portrait of Captain Thomas W. Lewis

Written By Andrew Melville

American, circa 1853

Ship Portrait — Silver Cloud
Oil on canvas, in original walnut and gilt frame.
25 x 30 inches

Portrait of Captain Thomas W. Lewis
Attributed to Sturtevant J. Hamblin (1817–1884)
Oil on artist board, in original walnut and gilt frame.
18 x 13 inches

This compelling pair unites a portrait of the merchant bark Silver Cloud with a likeness of her captain, Thomas W. Lewis. The ship portrait, inscribed with the vessel’s name and captain, documents a working vessel active in international trade before later entering whaling service.

The accompanying portrait, attributed to Sturtevant J. Hamblin, provides a rare personal counterpart, linking the vessel directly to its commander. Together, the paintings form a cohesive and historically resonant grouping within American maritime folk art.

Provenance:
By descent in the family of Captain Thomas W. Lewis

Andrew Melville

I'm a Kelowna-based designer with a passion for building clean, modern websites that bring bold ideas to life. Drawing from my roots in Vancouver’s creative scene, I combine Squarespace expertise with sharp brand strategy to help clients shape rough concepts into refined, purposeful digital experiences. Whether it’s a portfolio, business site, or something in between, I create work that feels effortless, effective, and always true to your brand — with just the right dose of personality.

https://creativestrategy.ca
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