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“CHESAPEAKE RELIC”
Over my 40 years of exploring the Chesapeake region, I’ve often seen these once- proud vessels reduced to derelicts. Called deadrises, due to the configuration of their hulls, they are well suited to the bay’s short, choppy seas and shoal waters. Constructed of native wood and built by local craftsmen, they are perfectly suited for harvesting the bounty of the Chesapeake. They could easily be adapted for fishing, crabbing, clamming, and oystering and were beloved by their owners. In 1988…
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“Ponte Vecchio”
The Arno River winds its way from the source in the Apennine Mountains westward to the Tyrrhenian Sea near Pisa. In Florence numerous bridges span it, the most notable and oldest being the Ponte Vecchio or “Old Bridge”. The bridge’s origin dates prior to 966 and during much of the early days butchers occupied shops on both sides of the bridge. Today Ponte Vecchio is lined with the finest of jewelers and art merchants. I took a position along the…
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“Palazzo Vecchio”
My wife Kathy and I recently spent eleven days in Italy, primarily in the historic and cultural center of Tuscany, which is Florence. The plan was that I would do several paintings on location as well as research for larger pieces to be created back in my Virginia studio. These pieces were painted while working directly from the subjects. The “Impressionists” who left their studios in the 19th century to paint in nature began this practice. The French called this…
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“Day’s End on the Chesapeake”
In this oil painting, we see a skipjack sailing for home after a long day of work. These wooden vessels were designed and built to haul general cargo and dredge oysters on the Chesapeake Bay. There are a few still oystering even today in the Maryland waters of the bay. On the horizon, we see massive storm clouds, which can easily threaten these vessels, some over one hundred years old. Notice the green light on the skipjack. This is…
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JOHN M. BARBER’S Chesapeake – 50 Years of Maritime Art
I am extremely happy to announce the opening of my retrospective exhibition at the Deltaville Maritime Museum in Deltaville, Virginia. On June 12 the Private Opening Gala for Sponsors, Patrons and Contributing Art Owners took place and the Premier Opening Reception on June 13 honoring Museum Supporters was held. On Saturday June 14 the exhibit opened to the public. My wife Kathy and I were there as well as our Sponsoring Patrons Mary and Ted Linhart to greet guests at…
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OpSail 2012 Virginia
I was honored when asked to create the official painting for OpSail that took place in Norfolk, Virginia from June 1-12, 2012. During this historic occasion the Port of Virginia was once again host to a most impressive fleet of tall ships, Naval and military warships, educational and research vessels from 15 nations. OpSail promotes goodwill among nations, inspires patriotism and fosters interest in American maritime history and heritage, while creating unique educational opportunities for all ages and bringing economic…
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