The Steamboat - Ocean
Photograph
1856 (made)
1856 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
In its extreme economy of compositional elements The Steamboat is unique among Le Gray's seascapes. The lack of clouds, and the horizon blurred by sea mist, creates an environment in which the small vessel at the precise centre seems to sail into the unknown. Comparing this scene with his more visually dense seascapes suggests that Le Gray conceived of the set as a suite of contrasting images, each with a different emotional impact. As an artist, he knew when to apply the drama of a turbulent sky and could easily have added one here from a second negative, as he had done elsewhere. Yet he preferred to leave it barren to enhance the feeling of isolation and vulnerability.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | The Steamboat - Ocean (assigned by artist) |
Materials and techniques | Albumen print from collodion on glass negative |
Brief description | 19thC, Townshend Bequest; Le Gray, Gustave. Untitled (Seascape), c. 1856-59 |
Physical description | Photograph of a boat on the horizon of sea and sky |
Dimensions |
|
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | In its extreme economy of compositional elements The Steamboat is unique among Le Gray's seascapes. The lack of clouds, and the horizon blurred by sea mist, creates an environment in which the small vessel at the precise centre seems to sail into the unknown. Comparing this scene with his more visually dense seascapes suggests that Le Gray conceived of the set as a suite of contrasting images, each with a different emotional impact. As an artist, he knew when to apply the drama of a turbulent sky and could easily have added one here from a second negative, as he had done elsewhere. Yet he preferred to leave it barren to enhance the feeling of isolation and vulnerability. |
Bibliographic reference | Ebloussants reflets. Normandie Impressionniste - Rouen Rouen: musées des Beaux-Arts, 2013. ISBN: 9782711860623. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 67997 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | February 6, 2004 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest