Artwork

The Rocky Beach and Cliffs at Fécamp

The Rocky Beach and Cliffs at Fécamp, by Edward William Cooke, watercolor, 1834
The Rocky Beach and Cliffs at Fécamp, by Edward William Cooke, watercolor, 1834

The Rocky Beach and Cliffs at Fécamp is a watercolor drawing by the Romanticist artist Edward William Cooke. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Rocky Beach and Cliffs at Fécamp is a watercolor drawing by Edward William Cooke, created around 1834. It is executed on wove paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a serene rocky beach scene with steep cliffs, calm sea dotted with small boats, and a partly cloudy sky. Soft light illuminates the layered stone cliffs with patches of greenery, while rocks near the shore vary in size and are sometimes moss-covered.

Technique & Style

Cooke employed loose, rapid brushstrokes to convey texture in the rocks and waves. The muted color palette effectively captures the play of light on the cliffs, suggesting depth through layered washes, a characteristic of watercolor technique.

Artist & collection

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