Oil on canvas
18 x 30 inches (45.7 x 76.2 cm)
Signed lower right: James G. Tyler
The Water Witch by James Galye Tyler
James Gale Tyler, born in Oswego, New York, in 1855, ultimately settled on the picturesque coast of Connecticut in the town of Greenwich. His formal art training was limited to guidance from Archibald Carey Smith in New York City in 1870, making Tyler predominantly self-taught. Driven by a passion for sailing, he emerged as one of the preeminent maritime painters of his era. His artistic repertoire extended beyond boats, encompassing various seafaring subjects, coastal scenes, and seascapes. Notably, Tyler was captivated by the America’s Cup Races, annually traveling to Newport, Rhode Island, from 1900 to 1930 to capture the intensity of the competition in his paintings, which gained widespread exhibition and critical acclaim.
One of his significant works, “The Yacht, Water Witch,” portrays Mr. William Armour’s yacht, constructed in 1881 by D.O. Richmond of Mystic, Connecticut, for Charles Mallow. Acquired by William Armour in 1887, the yacht changed hands in 1890.
While Tyler primarily focused on marine subjects, he also delved into portraits and cityscapes. His mastery of portraying nocturne scenes contributed to his widespread recognition. As a versatile artist, Tyler’s illustrations graced the pages of esteemed periodicals such as Harper’s, Century, and Literary Digest. He held memberships in prestigious art associations, including the Brooklyn Art Association, the Salmagundi Club, and the Society of Independent Artists.
Tyler’s artistic style was characterized by vividness and poetry, marked by a unique enthusiasm. Unlike more realistic painters, he prioritized the mood and impression of a work over precise details. Art critics drew comparisons between Tyler’s works and those of Albert Pinkham Ryder. Beyond his direct affiliations, Tyler’s art found a place in exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago, Boston Art Club, Chicago 1893 Columbian Exhibition, National Academy of Design, Paris Exposition of 1889, and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Having spent most of his life in Greenwich, Connecticut, Tyler relocated to Pelham, New York, in 1931, where he passed away. His artistic legacy lives on in collections worldwide, including the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, DC; Tokyo Museum in Japan; Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford, Connecticut; Omaha Museum of Art in Nebraska; Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, Virginia; and the New York Historical Society, among other esteemed institutions.
