Storm-Tossed Frigate

Amerikanische Malerei 1849–1850, mid 19th century

Waves surge up the sides of a masted ship illuminated by moonlight in this horizontal painting. The bow is angled to our right, and a wave breaks onto the deck as the ship tips away from us. Two of the frigate’s masts are broken close to the deck so nothing of the sails remain, and only the lowest sail near the ship’s bow remains beneath a partially broken mast. The bowsprit, which angles up and diagonally off the bow, is also fragmented. Men pull on rigging or stand the gunwale at the edge of the deck. Other waves heave like mountains across the painting in shades of slate and gunmetal blue. The horizon comes about halfway up the composition, and muted, dark blue clouds edged with cream white swirl like a vortex around the full moon, which is in the upper left quadrant of the painting.
Artist
Amerikanische Malerei 1849–1850
Date
mid 19th century
Type
Painting
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
54.4 × 77.2 cm
Collection
National Gallery of Art, Washington
Licence
Public domain, CC0

Image description

Waves surge up the sides of a masted ship illuminated by moonlight in this horizontal painting. The bow is angled to our right, and a wave breaks onto the deck as the ship tips away from us. Two of the frigate’s masts are broken close to the deck so nothing of the sails remain, and only the lowest sail near the ship’s bow remains beneath a partially broken mast. The bowsprit, which angles up and diagonally off the bow, is also fragmented. Men pull on rigging or stand the gunwale at the edge of the deck. Other waves heave like mountains across the painting in shades of slate and gunmetal blue. The horizon comes about halfway up the composition, and muted, dark blue clouds edged with cream white swirl like a vortex around the full moon, which is in the upper left quadrant of the painting.

Amerikanische Malerei 1849–1850