Percy Sanborn (1849-1929)
Percy Sanborn was born in Waldo, Maine and initially worked as a sign painter. His signs and decorative window shades appeared on many of nearby Belfast’s commercial establishments, and are highly sought after today. A multi-faceted artist, Sanborn produced illustrations for the Belfast newspaper, painted theatrical backdrops for the local opera house, and decorated stoneware pots. He also painted murals, the most famous of which is in the lobby of the Ritz-Carleton in Boston. Sanborn was also an accomplished violinist, playing in the Belfast Symphonic Orchestra, where he also occasionally conducted, and gave music lessons to many of the local youths.
Best known for his portraits of ships, mostly of vessels from Belfast, he was also known for his pet portraits, especially cats. His ship pictures are represented in nearly every major maritime musuem in the U.S. and his cat portraits are highly desired by collectors. He was killed in 1929 by a car while crossing a street in Belfast, Maine.