Carlton Theodore Chapman (American, 1860-1925), Maritime Scene with Sailboat and Lighthouse

Oil on canvas (lined), unsigned, framed.

Stretcher size 15 1/4 x 18 in.; Frame dimensions 18 x 21 in.

Carlton Theodore Chapman was an American marine painter celebrated for his coastal landscapes and vessels. Born in Ohio and influenced by early experiences at his uncle’s shipyard in Maine, Chapman developed a lifelong fascination with the sea. He trained at the National Academy of Design, the Art Students League in New York, and later in Paris at the Académie Julian. His firsthand sailing experience, including a stint as a schooner crewman in his teens, deeply informed the technical precision of his works.

Chapman gained national recognition as a war artist for the U.S. Navy during the Spanish–American War, contributing illustrations to Harper’s Weekly from Cuba. His works were exhibited widely at major expositions such as the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, earning numerous medals. He was an active member of several prominent art societies and is represented in major institutions including the U.S. Naval Academy, the Metropolitan Museum, and the Brooklyn Museum.

The painting has been lined, with age cracking.