170 - Stephen J. Renard,

Stephen J. Renard, British b.1947- 'Cicely' racing 'Suzanne' and 'Adela' in the Solent with Osborne House behind, c.1905; oil on canvas, signed and dated 'STEPHEN J RENARD '92' (lower right), 76.1 x 101.5 cm.ARR. Provenance: Anon. sale, Christie's, London, 10 November 1994, lot 632 (£4,400). A distinguished family collection. Note: The racing schooner 'Cicely', 263 tons, was built by Fay & Co. of Southampton in 1902. Designed by the legendary William Fife, she measured 114 feet overall and carried 10,000 square feet of canvas under full sail. Constructed with a classic sheerline and a particularly attractive bow, she won every race in her first season even though she was often matched against larger schooners from Germany as well as many notable British yachts. 'Suzanne', built in 1904, was another Fife yacht and one of the most magnificent of all the schooners of the Edwardian era. Built by Inglis in Glasgow, she was 94 feet long overall and could carry 12,000 square feet of sail. Frequently raced against schooners of twice her tonnage, her greatest triumph was her victory in the Emperor's Cup in 1905. 'Adele', 224 tons, was designed by W.C. Storey and built in Southampton in 1903. Although no record-breaker, she was nevertheless a survivor and was known to be still afloat until the 1970s.