Artwork
The North Cape by Moonlight
The North Cape by Moonlight is an oil painting by Peder Balke. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Created in 1848, The North Cape by Moonlight is an oil painting executed on canvas. The work measures 62 cm in height and 85 cm in width. As a marine art piece, it depicts a nocturnal seascape featuring a boat under moonlight.
The composition captures the dramatic atmosphere of the North Cape through the artist's handling of light and shadow typical of the Romantic era.
History & Provenance
It is classified as a painting and forms part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The North Cape by Moonlight was painted in 1848 by Peder Balke in oil on canvas. The work measures 62 cm in height and 85 cm in width and depicts a marine scene with a boat under moonlight. It is classified as a painting and forms part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The painting is located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its inception is recorded as 1 January 1848.
Overview
Peder Balke, a Norwegian artist recognized for his evocative depictions of his homeland's scenery, completed The North Cape by Moonlight in 1848. This oil painting exemplifies his distinctive style, presenting a dramatic nocturnal seascape. The work is a notable example of his contribution to landscape art and is currently housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a somber night scene at sea, dominated by a towering, craggy rock formation under a cloud-veiled, moonlit sky. In the foreground, a small boat carrying two figures navigates the calm, reflective water, while faint outlines of other vessels appear on the distant horizon. This composition conveys a sense of isolation and the sublime power of nature.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Peder Balke (November 4, 1804 – February 5, 1887) was a Norwegian painter. He is known for portraying the landscape of Norway in a romantic and dramatic manner.
