Artwork

Seascape

Seascape, by Samuel Bough, watercolor, 1845
Seascape, by Samuel Bough, watercolor, 1845

Seascape is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist Samuel Bough. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Seascape is a watercolour painting by Samuel Bough, dated to 1845, depicting a dramatic marine scene. It is part of the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a rocky coastline battered by turbulent waves, with birds in flight overhead. The scene conveys the power and movement of the natural world.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour, the work leverages the medium's translucent qualities to achieve a soft, dreamy effect. A nuanced colour palette captures the contrasts between the cool tones of the sea and the warmer hues of the rocky shoreline.

History & Provenance

Created in 1845 by Samuel Bough, the painting's history prior to its acquisition by the Victoria and Albert Museum is not detailed here.

Context

While the painting's style aligns with broader 19th-century artistic tendencies, it reflects an interest in capturing the sublime aspects of nature, a theme common during the Romantic era.

Legacy

As part of a prominent museum collection, Seascape contributes to the understanding and appreciation of 19th-century watercolour techniques and maritime themes in art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Samuel Bough

Artist

Samuel Bough

Samuel Bough (8 January 1822 – 19 November 1878) was an English-born landscape painter who spent much of his career working in Scotland.