Two gouache paintings by de Simone of ‘Latona’

Two gouache paintings by de Simone of ‘Latona’ , one showing the gaffe rigged yawl, in clam seas flying the Royal Thames Yacht Club burgee, the other showing her with reduced canvas in heavy weather.  English, circa 1880.

Footnotes: Antonio de Simone (1851-1907) was the son of the Italian seaport oil painter Tommaso de Simone.  Antonio worked in watercolour and gouache, specialising in capturing nearly all the great society yachts of the period as they visited Naples.  Owners commissioned these portraits as their vessels lay at anchor under Mount Vesuvius. Latona was a yawl belonging to G.E. Wood from London, with sails by Ratsey and Lapthorn, registered in the Lloyds Yacht Register of 1886-7.