"The Masthead Men"

By Russ Kramer

Oil on Linen, 28" x 42" 2010

Crew high in the rigging of SHAMROCK III watch RELIANCE cross the start of the third race of the America’s Cup, 1903. The wiry daredevils who climbed to the top of these giant rigs to untangle lines or unfurl topsails were paid more then their mates on deck. It was said of them, “their only obstacle is death.”

Russ says: “In this painting I wanted to convey the vast size of RELIANCE, the largest single-masted sailing yacht ever built. By casting cloud shadows across her sails and pinching her into the composition, the viewer, along with the high-wire crew, have a birds-eye view of this enormous “Temple to the Wind.”

This painting is now in private collection.