Artwork

Ship in New York Harbor

Ship in New York Harbor, oil, 1896
Ship in New York Harbor, oil, 1896

Ship in New York Harbor is an oil painting. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the ship, with the boat positioned nearby and the man standing on deck or dock, suggesting a moment of maritime activity.

Ship in New York Harbor portrays a vessel, a smaller boat, and a lone figure set against the harbor backdrop. The composition centers on the ship, with the boat positioned nearby and the man standing on deck or dock, suggesting a moment of maritime activity. By depicting these elements together, the work conveys a scene of everyday harbor life, emphasizing the interaction between seafaring craft and human presence in the port environment.

Technique & Style

Ship in New York Harbor is executed in oil paint on canvas, a standard support for late nineteenth-century marine subjects. The painting measures 59.3 cm in height by 74.5 cm in width, a horizontal format suited to its harbor subject. Classified simply as a painting, the work is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. No further details regarding handling, surface condition, or specific stylistic devices are documented in the available records.

History & Provenance

The work titled Ship in New York Harbor was produced in 1890 using oil on canvas, measuring 59.3 × 74.5 cm;. It is classified as a painting and is part of the anonymous collection held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been displayed since its acquisition. No documentation of a specific commission or patronage exists in the available records, and the artist’s identity remains unidentified;.

The piece entered the museum’s holdings as an anonymous work, and its provenance traces from creation in the late nineteenth century to its current location in the museum’s collection;.

As of the latest records, Ship in New York Harbor (1890) is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work is cataloged under an anonymous attribution within the museum’s holdings, though its medium, oil on canvas, aligns with the documented materials. While specific accession or inventory numbers are not uniformly detailed across sources, the painting is identified as part of the museum’s permanent collection. No verified exhibition history beyond its institutional ownership is presently supported by the available sources.

Overview

This oil painting, titled Ship in New York Harbor, captures a dynamic maritime scene. It depicts a large sailing vessel navigating turbulent waters under a dramatic, cloud-filled sky. The composition emphasizes the contrast between the powerful ship and the smaller human presence in a rowboat, set against the backdrop of the harbor's distinctive architectural features.

New York Bay and Harbor
New York Bay and Harbor, J. C. Wales

Artist & collection

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see Ship in New York Harbor?

Ship in New York Harbor is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Ship in New York Harbor?

Ship in New York Harbor is associated with American Impressionism.