Frank Henry Mason - S.T. "Alchymist" approaching Skerryvore at daybreak

Frank Henry Mason is predominantly known for his seascape paintings and following in the footsteps of leading artists such as William Lionel Wyllie and Charles Napier Hemy. His early style is similar to Thomas Bush Hardy especially his watercolours. 
 
We have two later oil paintings available for sale by Mason that were commissions from F.T. Everand and Sons, of the Wharf, Greenhithe, to portray ships from their fleet. These were part of a long running set of works for the company that the artist painted from 1943 until 1964. In fact, Edward Yardley (in his biography on Mason) says that he completed the paintings for F.T. Everand in groups of 'twelve for inclusion in their advertisements that appeared on the back cover of the monthly periodical Sea Breezes, and reproduced in colour on the company's annual calendar and on their Christmas cards. This was continual and tiring work which involved painting to deadlines, location visits, and even a voyage to Norway and back on an Everand ship. His last Everard 'portrait' was painted in 1964 and published in January 1965, by then he had delivered over 180 paintings to the company.' [1]
 
This painting depicts F.T. Everard's coastal tanker ALCHYMIST which was built by A. & J. Inglis at Glasgow in 1945 for war service as EMPIRE ORKNEY. It was purchased by Everard in 1949 and was used until 1969 when it was broken up in Bruges. The large ship is sailing past Skerryvore Lighthouse which is located off the west coast of Scotland and is 11 nautical miles southwest of Tiree. The lighthouse was built between 1838 and 1844 by Alan Stevenson. At a height of 156 feet it is the tallest lighthouse in Scotland. Mason has painted a stormy sea with the lighthouse prominently shining in the distance as daybreak is approaching.
 
Medium: Oil on board, signed l.l. 'FRANK H MASON', 30 x 40cm, framed (42 x 53cm).
 
Provenance: Family descent from the artist.
 
Literature: 
 
[1]  Edward Yardley, ' Frank Henry Mason: Marine Painter and Poster Artist', Colley Books: 2015, p. 50.
 
Condition report: generally very good. Some of the paint is a bit thin in places and there are a few small time staining markings on the painting (please see photos). The oil is protected by glass and the frame has some losses.