Artwork
A Bit on Marblehead Neck
A Bit on Marblehead Neck is a print by the Impressionist artist James David Smillie. It dates from 1883 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
A Bit on Marblehead Neck, created by James David Smillie in 1883, is a monochrome print housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, depicting a serene coastal landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a tranquil scene of Marblehead Neck's coastline, featuring rocky terrain, sparse vegetation, grazing sheep, and distant boats on calm waters, emphasizing everyday, uneventful moments.
Technique & Style
Smillie employed a minimalist approach, utilizing solely black lines and shading techniques to achieve depth, with notable contrasts between the rough natural elements and the serene, scattered sheep.
History & Provenance
Signed by the artist (with a barely legible date), the work's provenance is anchored by its current holding at The Cleveland Museum of Art, though specific historical context or ownership history before acquisition is not detailed here.
Context
This piece aligns with Realist tendencies, focusing on ordinary, unromanticized scenes of life and nature, suggesting an appeal to viewers interested in this artistic movement.
Artist & collection
Artist
James David Smillie was an American artist, cofounder of the American Watercolor Society and New York Etching Club. His brother was painter George Henry Smillie.
