Seascape with Rocks
1894
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1894
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Seascape with Rocks is a 1894 graphite by William Trost Richards, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting shows rough, jagged rocks rising straight out of choppy water. The waves crash against the stones, which are dark and uneven, while the sky above is pale and lightly brushed. The colors are mostly muted—soft blues and grays—with a few deeper browns in the rocks. The artist used quick, loose strokes to suggest movement in the water, almost like the scene was sketched fast. The rocks look heavy and real, not smooth or polished. If you like this style, check out the technique: watercolor.
