Alfred Gabali (1886–1963) | Maritime Oil Painting “Ships That Pass In The Night” | Circa 1958

Provenance & Ownership History
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Bearing a period dedication and artist’s label on the reverse, recording the title Ships That Pass in the Night and a personal presentation inscription to Carol Anne Kahne, dated circa 1958. The painting was subsequently offered by Waddington’s Auctioneers, Toronto, in its Discovery Art auction of December 14, 2023, as Lot 894. Following the auction, it entered a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The painting is accompanied by two period newspaper articles dating from 1956 and 1957, documenting Alfred Gabali’s life as a seaman-artist and his first-prize awards at the Cape Cod Art Association. 

$750.00
$750.00
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Alfred Gabali oil painting Ships That Pass In The Night tall ship sunset seascape
Video of Alfred Gabali’s “Ships That Pass in the Night,” circa 1958, a maritime oil painting depicting sailing ships at sea in an ornate gold-toned frame.
Original Alfred Gabali oil on canvas board painting titled Ships That Pass in the Night, circa 1958, depicting a maritime scene with ships at sea.
Mid-20th-century maritime oil painting by German-American artist Alfred Gabali, featuring atmospheric ocean blues and expressive brushwork.
Signed Alfred Gabali marine painting depicting ships passing at sea beneath an atmospheric sky, reflecting the artist’s Cape Cod maritime influences.
Vintage 1958 nautical oil painting titled Ships That Pass in the Night, showcasing Alfred Gabali’s distinctive seascape composition and restrained color palette.
Original mid-century seascape painting by Alfred Gabali (1886–1963), featuring maritime imagery, subtle ocean tones, and textured oil brushwork.
Framed Alfred Gabali oil painting measuring approximately 12 by 16 inches, depicting a tranquil maritime scene with ships navigating open waters.
Historic Cape Cod maritime artwork by Alfred Gabali, featuring expressive interpretations of ships, ocean waters, and atmospheric coastal scenery.
Signed mid-20th-century oil on canvas board seascape by Alfred Gabali, preserving rich blue tones and original painted surface details.
Original Alfred Gabali maritime painting from circa 1958, titled Ships That Pass in the Night, reflecting the German-American artist’s lifelong connection to the sea.
Reverse of Alfred Gabali’s Ships That Pass in the Night oil painting, preserving the artist’s original title label and historical identification details.
Handwritten dedication on the reverse of Alfred Gabali’s circa 1958 maritime painting, inscribed to Carol Anne Kahne and signed by the artist.
Original reverse inscriptions and artist identification labels on Alfred Gabali’s Ships That Pass in the Night, documenting its title, dedication, and circa 1958 date.
1956 Standard-Times newspaper feature about seaman-artist Alfred Gabali, shown painting a dramatic sailing ship and seascape.
Alfred Gabali oil painting newspaper clipping 1956 Hyannis show prize win
  • Alfred Gabali oil painting Ships That Pass In The Night tall ship sunset seascape
  • Video of Alfred Gabali’s “Ships That Pass in the Night,” circa 1958, a maritime oil painting depicting sailing ships at sea in an ornate gold-toned frame.
  • Original Alfred Gabali oil on canvas board painting titled Ships That Pass in the Night, circa 1958, depicting a maritime scene with ships at sea.
  • Mid-20th-century maritime oil painting by German-American artist Alfred Gabali, featuring atmospheric ocean blues and expressive brushwork.
  • Signed Alfred Gabali marine painting depicting ships passing at sea beneath an atmospheric sky, reflecting the artist’s Cape Cod maritime influences.
  • Vintage 1958 nautical oil painting titled Ships That Pass in the Night, showcasing Alfred Gabali’s distinctive seascape composition and restrained color palette.
  • Original mid-century seascape painting by Alfred Gabali (1886–1963), featuring maritime imagery, subtle ocean tones, and textured oil brushwork.
  • Framed Alfred Gabali oil painting measuring approximately 12 by 16 inches, depicting a tranquil maritime scene with ships navigating open waters.
  • Historic Cape Cod maritime artwork by Alfred Gabali, featuring expressive interpretations of ships, ocean waters, and atmospheric coastal scenery.
  • Signed mid-20th-century oil on canvas board seascape by Alfred Gabali, preserving rich blue tones and original painted surface details.
  • Original Alfred Gabali maritime painting from circa 1958, titled Ships That Pass in the Night, reflecting the German-American artist’s lifelong connection to the sea.
  • Reverse of Alfred Gabali’s Ships That Pass in the Night oil painting, preserving the artist’s original title label and historical identification details.
  • Handwritten dedication on the reverse of Alfred Gabali’s circa 1958 maritime painting, inscribed to Carol Anne Kahne and signed by the artist.
  • Original reverse inscriptions and artist identification labels on Alfred Gabali’s Ships That Pass in the Night, documenting its title, dedication, and circa 1958 date.
  • 1956 Standard-Times newspaper feature about seaman-artist Alfred Gabali, shown painting a dramatic sailing ship and seascape.
  • Alfred Gabali oil painting newspaper clipping 1956 Hyannis show prize win
Alfred Gabali oil painting Ships That Pass In The Night tall ship sunset seascape
Video of Alfred Gabali’s “Ships That Pass in the Night,” circa 1958, a maritime oil painting depicting sailing ships at sea in an ornate gold-toned frame.
Original Alfred Gabali oil on canvas board painting titled Ships That Pass in the Night, circa 1958, depicting a maritime scene with ships at sea.
Mid-20th-century maritime oil painting by German-American artist Alfred Gabali, featuring atmospheric ocean blues and expressive brushwork.
Signed Alfred Gabali marine painting depicting ships passing at sea beneath an atmospheric sky, reflecting the artist’s Cape Cod maritime influences.
Vintage 1958 nautical oil painting titled Ships That Pass in the Night, showcasing Alfred Gabali’s distinctive seascape composition and restrained color palette.
Original mid-century seascape painting by Alfred Gabali (1886–1963), featuring maritime imagery, subtle ocean tones, and textured oil brushwork.
Framed Alfred Gabali oil painting measuring approximately 12 by 16 inches, depicting a tranquil maritime scene with ships navigating open waters.
Historic Cape Cod maritime artwork by Alfred Gabali, featuring expressive interpretations of ships, ocean waters, and atmospheric coastal scenery.
Signed mid-20th-century oil on canvas board seascape by Alfred Gabali, preserving rich blue tones and original painted surface details.
Original Alfred Gabali maritime painting from circa 1958, titled Ships That Pass in the Night, reflecting the German-American artist’s lifelong connection to the sea.
Reverse of Alfred Gabali’s Ships That Pass in the Night oil painting, preserving the artist’s original title label and historical identification details.
Handwritten dedication on the reverse of Alfred Gabali’s circa 1958 maritime painting, inscribed to Carol Anne Kahne and signed by the artist.
Original reverse inscriptions and artist identification labels on Alfred Gabali’s Ships That Pass in the Night, documenting its title, dedication, and circa 1958 date.
1956 Standard-Times newspaper feature about seaman-artist Alfred Gabali, shown painting a dramatic sailing ship and seascape.
Alfred Gabali oil painting newspaper clipping 1956 Hyannis show prize win
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Alfred Gabali (1886–1963) | Maritime Oil Painting “Ships That Pass In The Night” | Circa 1958

Description
More Less

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Germany / United States (Cape Cod, Massachusetts)
Material: Oil on Canvas Board
Period: Mid-20th Century CE (circa 1958)

Description

This oil on canvas board painting, titled "Ships That Pass In The Night," is a signed work by Alfred Gabali. Signed in the lower left and further titled and labeled on the verso, the painting also bears a personal dedication reading: "To Carol Anne Kahne – West Terris Fry 58? – Alfred Gabali." The composition reflects Gabali’s characteristic maritime subject matter, capturing the quiet drama and fleeting encounters of ships at sea through expressive brushwork and a restrained palette of oceanic blues and atmospheric sky tones.

Features

- Original signature on the front with dedication inscription on the verso

- Maritime subject reflecting Gabali’s seafaring background

- Expressive brushwork and atmospheric rendering of ships and sea

- Compact dimensions suitable for intimate display

Cultural Significance

Alfred Gabali (1886–1963), born in Cologne, Germany, was both seaman and artist, and his life at sea profoundly influenced his artistic vision. After studying under the marine painter Schnars Alquist, Gabali developed a career centered on maritime imagery. Opposed to the rise of Nazism, he ultimately left Europe and emigrated to the United States in 1949, becoming associated with the Cape Cod artistic community. His paintings often reflect themes of migration, solitude, and the enduring relationship between humanity and the sea.

Condition

The painting is in excellent condition with strong color retention and a well-preserved painted surface. The frame, while likely not original to the work, complements the painting and reflects a period style. The inscription on the verso enhances its provenance and historical interest.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 12 in
Width: 16 in

Age (Approximate)

65–70 years old

Provenance

Bearing a period dedication and artist’s label on the reverse, recording the title Ships That Pass in the Night and a personal presentation inscription to Carol Anne Kahne, dated circa 1958. The painting was subsequently offered by Waddington’s Auctioneers, Toronto, in its Discovery Art auction of December 14, 2023, as Lot 894. Following the auction, it entered a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The painting is accompanied by two period newspaper articles dating from 1956 and 1957, documenting Alfred Gabali’s life as a seaman-artist and his first-prize awards at the Cape Cod Art Association. 

Learn More

Study the Life and Work of Alfred Gabali

Explore Our Collection of Historical Paintings and Artwork

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Germany / United States (Cape Cod, Massachusetts)
Material: Oil on Canvas Board
Period: Mid-20th Century CE (circa 1958)

Description

This oil on canvas board painting, titled "Ships That Pass In The Night," is a signed work by Alfred Gabali. Signed in the lower left and further titled and labeled on the verso, the painting also bears a personal dedication reading: "To Carol Anne Kahne – West Terris Fry 58? – Alfred Gabali." The composition reflects Gabali’s characteristic maritime subject matter, capturing the quiet drama and fleeting encounters of ships at sea through expressive brushwork and a restrained palette of oceanic blues and atmospheric sky tones.

Features

- Original signature on the front with dedication inscription on the verso

- Maritime subject reflecting Gabali’s seafaring background

- Expressive brushwork and atmospheric rendering of ships and sea

- Compact dimensions suitable for intimate display

Cultural Significance

Alfred Gabali (1886–1963), born in Cologne, Germany, was both seaman and artist, and his life at sea profoundly influenced his artistic vision. After studying under the marine painter Schnars Alquist, Gabali developed a career centered on maritime imagery. Opposed to the rise of Nazism, he ultimately left Europe and emigrated to the United States in 1949, becoming associated with the Cape Cod artistic community. His paintings often reflect themes of migration, solitude, and the enduring relationship between humanity and the sea.

Condition

The painting is in excellent condition with strong color retention and a well-preserved painted surface. The frame, while likely not original to the work, complements the painting and reflects a period style. The inscription on the verso enhances its provenance and historical interest.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 12 in
Width: 16 in

Age (Approximate)

65–70 years old

Provenance

Bearing a period dedication and artist’s label on the reverse, recording the title Ships That Pass in the Night and a personal presentation inscription to Carol Anne Kahne, dated circa 1958. The painting was subsequently offered by Waddington’s Auctioneers, Toronto, in its Discovery Art auction of December 14, 2023, as Lot 894. Following the auction, it entered a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The painting is accompanied by two period newspaper articles dating from 1956 and 1957, documenting Alfred Gabali’s life as a seaman-artist and his first-prize awards at the Cape Cod Art Association. 

Learn More

Study the Life and Work of Alfred Gabali

Explore Our Collection of Historical Paintings and Artwork

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