Gloucester, Massachusetts

James Renwick Brevoort

1872

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

About this work

This sketch shows a rocky shore by the water. The rocks are rough and uneven, some stacked in piles, others jutting out into the sea. The waves look choppy, and the sky is pale, blending into the horizon. The artist used only pencil and paper, focusing on texture—every crack and bump in the rocks is drawn carefully. This style fits the Realism movement, which aimed to show things exactly as they appear. Next, look up Realism to see how other artists captured everyday scenes this way.