Original 1940 Hunter Wood watercolor painting depicting a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.  Signed and dated lower right.  Painting size: 10 x 16 inches.  Good condition, with some handling wear.  Ex Phyllis Lucas Gallery collection.
 
Hunter Wood (1908-1948) was an American realist painter who specialized in marine and nautical paintings.  Hunter Wood was born in Babylon, Long Island, the son of the famous marine painter Worden George Wood, and the great-grandson of John L. Worden who commanded the "Monitor" in its fight against the "Merrimac" in the Civil War.  At the age of 17, Hunter Wood entered the New York Merchant Marine Academy.  His experiences at sea became the references for the subject matter of his paintings.  After leaving the Merchant Marines, Hunter Wood became a marine illustrator for several firms, including the United States Lines, the French Line, the Macmillian Company, and the United States Shipping Board.  He was also a staff artist for The World and The New York Herald in New York and The Boston Herald.  Hunter Wood was a combat artist in World War II, painting realistic aircraft and air combat scenes.