Ben Boyd and the Floating Crown (c. 1973) – SOLD
Detail photos for this Artwork
I’m exited to let you know of this exquisite David Boyd arrival. This beautifully rendered painting is from David Boyd’s “Wanderer” Series of works, inspired by his visit to the Sydney Yacht Club, where he saw the helm and compass from a beautiful schooner, “The Wanderer”. The ship was once owned by a possible ancestor of David Boyd, a flamboyant character known as Benjamin Boyd.
Benjamin Boyd arrived in Sydney in 1842 on his ship “The Wanderer”. He was a London banker of Scottish origin, with lucrative whaling and pastoral interests. Wealthy, adventurous and charming, and the owner of a luxurious ship, the likes of which had not been seen in Sydney before, Ben Boyd instantly became the toast of the new colony.
Ben Boyd had always dreamed of creating and leading a Pacific Empire and so, with the aid of a large convict labour force, he began the building of his dream at Boyd Town. When the authorities withdrew his convict labour force he resorted to “black birding” from New Caledonia. The scheme failed and his empire collapsed. Disillusioned, Ben Boyd departed the colony, sailing away in “The Wanderer”, still in search of his dream of becoming king of a Pacific paradise.
