Artwork
Marine Scene
Marine Scene is a print by the Impressionist artist Hendrik Willem Mesdag. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1939.549
- Credit line
- Gift of S. Houghton Cox, J. D. Cox Jr., and Jeannette Cox Morrill in memory of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Cox Sr.
About this work
Overview
Marine Scene, executed in 1879, is a monochrome print by Dutch artist Hendrik Willem Mesmes. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art and depicts a turbulent seascape with two small sailing vessels battling rough water.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on two modest sailboats caught in a storm. The foreground vessel is crowded with figures bracing against the wind, while the second boat drifts amid churning waves, suggesting human vulnerability in the face of nature’s force.
Technique & Style
Mesmes employs swift, undulating lines to convey the movement of water and sky. The limited palette of black and white heightens the dramatic contrast between the frothy sea and the ominous clouds, emphasizing texture over detail.
History & Provenance
Created toward the end of the 19th‑century Dutch marine tradition, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s European prints collection.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Dutch painter Hendrik Willem Mesdag spent his career on water, turning choppy North Sea light into bold seascapes.
