Conrad Freitag

Conrad Freitag was a ship’s portrait painter that had a hazy style and was best know for his depictions of New York harbor’s pilot boats.  His best patron was William Garner, a vice-commodore of the New York Yacht Club and owner of New York's People Line. Garner commissioned numerous works by the artist, many of which now belong to the collections in the N.Y.Y.C. and the Museum of the City of New York. Garner, his wife and two others were lost in 1875 while sailing off Staten Island onboard the schooner MOHAWK, which capsized in a sudden gale. Freitag's association with the club lessened after this loss.

Freitag served in the Civil War, having enlisted in 1862 at the age of 19 in Brooklyn, New York. Mustered in as a private in Company B of the 14th Brooklyn, he was promoted to corporal in 1863. Wounded at the Battle of Spotsylvania, Laurel Hill, Virginia, he returned to convalesce in New York, where he painted a scene of this battle, and his art career began.

His contribution to American marine painting, although not as varied as some, is important for the accurate detail and strong artistry of period ships which were often overlooked as subjects by others.  Often shown in supporting roles, the pilot schooners, with their long careers and interactions with all the ships arriving at New York, are worthy of such fine commemorations.

Freitag’s works were exhibited at the National Academy from 1874-79 and in 1883 and at the Brooklyn Art Association from 1874-1883.  His work is in the collection of the Mariners Museum, the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Peabody Essex Museum, and the Staten Island Historical Society.