1831
unspecified
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Dominant colour
Fire of House and Ship on Stocks is a 1831 unspecified by Robert Salmon, a American Folk Art work, held at Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
This painting depicts a dramatic scene of a house and ship on fire. The house is on the left, with flames engulfing its roof, while the ship, situated on stocks, is ablaze on the right. In the foreground, people are actively fighting the fire, using buckets and hoses to try to contain the blaze. The dark sky above is filled with smoke, adding to the sense of urgency and chaos. The painting's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and drama, with the contrast between light and dark emphasizing the intensity of the fire. To learn more about the artist's use of light and shadow, explore the technique of chiaroscuro.
Robert Salmon (1775 – c. 1845) was a maritime artist, active in both England and America. Salmon completed nearly 1,000 paintings, all save one of maritime scenes or seascapes. He is widely considered the Father of American Luminism.
See the richer artist page
