The Cunard Liner R.M.S. Umbria off Brooklyn Heights, on the East River, New York

Fred Pansing (American, 1844-1912) The Cunard Liner R.M.S. Umbria off Brooklyn Heights, on the East River, New York inscribed 'Major & Knapp Co./N.Y./1885' (lower right) oil on canvas 31 x 62 in. (78.7 x 157.5 cm.) The canvas bears the inscription of Major & Knapp, a well-known New York publisher of maritime and other lithographs. Fred Pansing was one of their prodigies, and in addition to his depictions of American Steamers, they also published prints of various trans-Atlantic liners by the artist. In some respects, it must be said that the quality of the painting surpasses that of his ordinary ship portraits. However, this could well be accounted for by the stimulus of an unusually large, and very special commission of this nature.