James G. Evans

Washington's Birthday at Malta in USS Constitution, Commodore Jesse D. Elliott, 1837

Frigate Aurelia, Captain D. Juan Netto, 1852 painting by James Guy Evans U.S. Ships-of-the-Line and Frigates “Delaware” and “North Carolina,” “Brandywine,” and “Constellation,” 1835-1860, c. 1835–1860 painting by James Guy Evans

James Guy Evans (1809 or 1810 – 1859) was an American naval mariner and artist. Self-taught as an artist, Evans is known for his paintings of 19th century sailing ships, which are held in numerous museum collections.

Early life He was born in New York City in either 1809 or 1810. Shortly after enlisting he contracted fever and, on the request of his father, John Evans of Philadelphia, he was discharged as a minor in October 1829. Nine months later, in July 1830, he re-enlisted in the Marine Corps and served until he was discharged at Norfolk, Virginia, on 4 March 1836. Based on some of his known paintings, he may have served in in 1830-32

In December 1848, he was aboard the packet ship Ellerslie as it left New Orleans for Baltimore. He is described in contemporary accounts of the voyage as being both an artist and a minister. During the trip he produced a series of drawings commemorating the Ellerslie's captain's daughter, who died during the voyage.

In 1850-52 he took a partner in his New Orleans house, ship, sign and ornamental painting business, the German-born artist Edward Arnold (1824–1866). Together they worked on a panorama of the city that was never finished, and also signed several other paintings that they did together. In 1852-53, Evans took as a new partner an artist named Johnson, advertising their services in the newspaper as "Evans and Johnson House, Ship and Sign Painting, also, Historical, Marine and Ornamental Painting. Corner of Enghein and Poet Streets." The Tow Boat Conqueror, 1852, collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Great Republic, 1853, collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. USS Constitution outside Malta, February 1838, Watercolor and gouache. Collection of the USS Constitution Museum. U.S. Ships of the Line "Delaware" and "North Carolina" and Frigates "Brandywine" and "Constellation, c. 1835–1860, collection of the New York Historical Society.