Artwork
Marine
Marine is a paint painting by the Rococo painting artist Philip James de Loutherbourg. It dates from 1771 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The inclusion of specific elements like the storm cloud and the wrecking vessel serves to illustrate the destructive force of the natural world.
Created in 1771, this marine painting by Philip James de Loutherbourg depicts a dramatic coastal scene characterized by a rocky shore and an arcus cloud looming overhead. The composition features a shipwreck in progress, with human figures struggling amidst the turmoil near a building situated on the coast.
As a work associated with the Romanticism movement, the imagery emphasizes the sublime power of nature and the vulnerability of humanity against violent weather and sea conditions. The inclusion of specific elements like the storm cloud and the wrecking vessel serves to illustrate the destructive force of the natural world.
Technique & Style
Marine is executed in oil on canvas, rendering a Romantic marine scene. Its formal composition features a rugged rocky shore, a shipwreck, human figures, an arcus cloud, and a distant building, all characteristic of the Romantic movement's emphasis on dramatic natural forces and atmospheric effects. The work's stylistic approach combines a meticulous depiction of turbulent water with a luminous sky, creating a dynamic interplay of light and texture that defines the marine genre.
History & Provenance
Marine is dated to 1771. The work was created by Philip James de Loutherbourg and is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 97 cm in height by 130 cm in width.
The painting is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. No further details regarding its commission or earlier ownership are documented in the available sources.
Overview
Philip James de Loutherbourg, a French-born British artist recognized for his dramatic naval scenes and stage designs, completed Marine in 1771. This painting captures a tumultuous coastal landscape, featuring a stormy sky and a distressed vessel. The work is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, showcasing the artist's engagement with natural forces and human vulnerability within the Rococo period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philip James de Loutherbourg, RA (born Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg; 31 October 1740 – 11 March 1812) was a French-born British painter who became known for his large naval works, his elaborate set designs for…
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