The Last Gleam of Sunset
1855
oil
From the collection of National Gallery of Ireland
1855
oil
From the collection of National Gallery of Ireland
The painting shows a serene landscape at sunset. In the foreground, a body of water reflects the fading light, with a few birds flying low over the water. The surrounding landscape features hills and what appears to be a rocky cliff face, all bathed in the warm, golden tones of the setting sun. A closer look reveals the use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume in the depicted forms. This is evident in the way the light from the setting sun casts shadows on the hills and cliff face. For more on the use of chiaroscuro in landscape painting, explore the works of James Francis Danby.
