Artwork

Seascape with Rocks

Seascape with Rocks, by William Trost Richards, graphite, 1894
Seascape with Rocks, by William Trost Richards, graphite, 1894

Seascape with Rocks is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist William Trost Richards. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Seascape with Rocks is a watercolor drawing by William Trost Richards, created around 1894 on wove paper using graphite and watercolor.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts turbulent water crashing against jagged, dark rocks, set against a pale sky. Muted colors, including soft blues and grays, dominate the scene, with deeper browns adding depth to the rocks.

Technique & Style

Richards employed loose, rapid strokes to convey the dynamic movement of the water, while the rocks are rendered with a sense of heaviness and realism. The watercolor technique allows for a sense of spontaneity and immediacy.

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.