D.W.E. Gutman, (early 20th century)

The first class passenger liner Hildebrand was built by the Booth Line of Liverpool specifically for cruises up the Amazon at the height of the Brazilian rubber boom in 1910. Launched in 1911 she made her maiden voyage up the 1000 mile stretch of river to Manaus, the then centre of world rubber production. Following the death of his wife in 1920, the composer Edward Elgar took a cruise up the Amazon to Manaus in 1923 on board the Hildebrand and it is believed that the artist of this picture was on board at the same time.

For similar views by Gutman see Christie's South Kensington, 25 Sept. 2007 lot 351 and 8 April 2009, lot 193.