Artwork
Maine Seascape
Maine Seascape is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Constantin Westchiloff. It dates from 1937 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The use of oil medium allows for the layered handling and tonal blending typically required to capture atmospheric effects over water.
Maine Seascape is executed in oil paint on canvas, a standard combination for plein-air and studio marine works of the period. The painting measures 82.6 by 100.3 centimeters, a horizontal format suited to expansive coastal vistas. Classified as a marine painting, the work belongs to a tradition of seascape depiction in which the rendering of wind-driven waves is central, and the canvas is oriented to accommodate a wide horizon line.
The use of oil medium allows for the layered handling and tonal blending typically required to capture atmospheric effects over water. The painting is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, having been owned by Robert Lehman before its accession (1975.1.238).
History & Provenance
Maine Seascape was painted in 1937 by Constantin Westchiloff as an oil-on-canvas marine work. The painting was owned by collector Robert Lehman before entering the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is accessioned as 1975.1.238. No information about a commission or earlier owners is recorded in the available sources.
Overview
Constantin Westchiloff, a Russian-American artist, painted Maine Seascape in 1937 using oil paint. This work exemplifies marine art, capturing wind-driven waves. It reflects elements of American Impressionism and is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. Westchiloff was known for diverse subjects including portraits and landscapes.
Subject & Meaning
Maine Seascape presents a tranquil coastal view, where gentle waves meet the shore under a sky of blended blues and grays. Wispy clouds drift above a distant, mist-shrouded mountain range. The composition invites contemplation, portraying a peaceful natural environment without human presence, emphasizing the raw beauty of the marine landscape.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Constantin Alexandrovich Westchiloff (Russian: Константин Александрович Вещилов, romanized: Konstantin Aleksandrovich Veschilov; 15 May 1878 – 23 April 1945) was a Russian-American artist, who was active in the fields…
