Whalers
The Met
Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner(British, London 1775–1851 London)
Date: ca. 1845
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 36 1/8 x 48 1/4 in. (91.8 x 122.6 cm)
Credit Line: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Collection, Wolfe Fund, 1896
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
Two sailing ships on a turbulent, stormy sea under a hazy, overcast sky
Detailed Description
The artwork depicts a tumultuous seascape. The upper portion of the canvas features a light, hazy sky, rendered with broad, sweeping brushstrokes in shades of pale grey, white, and faint yellow. The sky appears heavily overcast, with obscured visibility. Darker grey and blue-grey streaks are visible, appearing as rain or dense clouds. Below, the sea is extremely rough and foamy, with large, cresting waves rendered in greens, browns, whites, and dark greys. The water is agitated, with white foam visible across its surface. Two vessels are visible within this turbulent environment. In the left foreground, the dark, rounded hull of a ship is partially submerged by a large wave. Its dark red-brown color contrasts slightly with the lighter tones of the water and sky. Further into the mid-ground, towards the center-right, a larger sailing ship with multiple masts and white sails is visible amidst the waves. Its sails are billowed, and its form is somewhat indistinct, blending with the surrounding mist and spray. The brushwork throughout is loose and energetic, conveying a sense of movement.
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