Artwork

Rough sea beside a jetty

Rough sea beside a jetty, by Carl Frederik Sørensen, oil, 1849
Rough sea beside a jetty, by Carl Frederik Sørensen, oil, 1849

Rough sea beside a jetty is an oil painting by the Realist artist Carl Frederik Sørensen. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.

About this work

Overview

Rough sea beside a jetty is a 1849 oil painting by Carl Frederik Sørensen, a Danish artist known for his seascapes. The work is part of the Fitzwilliam Museum's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures a turbulent maritime scene, with waves crashing against a jetty on a gloomy day. Dark clouds dominate the background, adding to the sense of turmoil.

Technique & Style

Sørensen employed chiaroscuro to convey depth and volume, while impasto technique created a textured effect, emphasizing the energy of the waves. The artist's use of oil paint allowed for expressive depiction of the sea in various shades of blue and white.

History & Provenance

Created in 1849, the painting is a representative work of Sørensen's Realist style, which earned him international recognition among European patrons.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Carl Frederik Sørensen

Artist

Carl Frederik Sørensen

Carl Frederik Sørensen (8 February 1818, Besser, Samsø – 24 January 1879, Copenhagen) was a Danish artist who specialized in marine painting.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Fitzwilliam Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.