Artwork
Clouds at Sunset
Clouds at Sunset is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist James Hamilton Shegogue. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:on recto: (notations in graphite); upper left verso in graphite, upside down: 5
About this work
Overview
James Hamilton Shegogue's Clouds at Sunset is a watercolor drawing executed over graphite on wove paper, dating to 1839.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of Clouds at Sunset is a serene natural scene, focusing on the atmospheric depiction of clouds during the sunset hour, evoking a sense of tranquility and capturing the fleeting effects of light.
Technique & Style
Shegogue employed watercolor over a graphite underdrawing, a technique common in 19th-century landscape and skyscape art, allowing for both precision in outline and expressive fluidity in color.
History & Provenance
Created in 1839, the artwork's provenance and exhibition history are not detailed in available records, though its creation date situates it within the Romantic era's emphasis on natural beauty.
Context
Clouds at Sunset reflects the early 19th-century artistic fascination with landscapes and the sublime in nature, aligning with the broader Romantic movement's values.
Legacy
While specific influence or notable exhibitions of Clouds at Sunset are not recorded, it contributes to the body of 19th-century watercolor landscapes that explored the emotional potential of natural light and color.
Artist & collection
