Grappling for the Lost Cable
The Met
Artist: Robert Charles Dudley(British, 1826–1909)
Date: ca. 1866
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 22 3/4 x 33 1/8 in. (57.8 x 84.1 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Cyrus W. Field, 1892
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
Large multi-masted ship on choppy sea under moonlit, starry sky with comet
Detailed Description
This black and white painting depicts a night scene at sea. A large, dark, multi-masted ship dominates the center-right, viewed from its front-right quarter. The ship has a tall hull with visible portholes or windows, and multiple masts with intricate rigging reaching towards the sky. What appear to be smokestacks are visible between the masts. Small figures are discernible on the ship's bow, and a small boat is either being lowered or is already in the water near the front of the vessel. The sea is rough and choppy, with visible whitecaps and swells, reflecting some light. In the distance on the left, a smaller, less distinct ship with masts is visible. Other faint vessels can be seen further in the background on the right. The sky is dark and cloudy, with a bright, full moon positioned in the upper left, casting a luminous glow on the surrounding clouds. Numerous stars are scattered across the dark sky, and a prominent comet with a long, arcing tail streaks across the upper right portion of the canvas.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
