Artwork
Shells, Watch Hill, Rhode Island
Shells, Watch Hill, Rhode Island is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist American 19th Century. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Shells, Watch Hill, Rhode Island is a 19th-century American drawing on wove paper, created with black and gray wash over graphite. The work measures 13.65 × 17.46 cm and is in the public domain.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a man seated in a wooden chair on a porch, gazing down while facing the sea. A few shells lie on the railing beside him, suggesting a tranquil, possibly contemplative scene.
Technique & Style
Executed in a sketchy style using only black, gray, and graphite washes, the drawing captures the play of light on the subject's coat. The sea's horizon dissolves into a soft gray wash, conveying a sense of depth and atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The artist remains unknown. The drawing is currently held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
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Artist & collection
Artist
This artist painted everyday American life in the 1800s. Look at *Farmhouse in Mahantango Valley*—a quiet, sunlit scene of rural Pennsylvania. *Boy and Girl* shows two children standing close, their faces turned toward…
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