Mother and Child by the Sea
The Met
Artist: Johan Christian Dahl(Norwegian, Bergen 1788–1857 Dresden)
Date: 1830
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 6 1/4 x 8 1/8 in. (15.9 x 20.6 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Eugene V. Thaw, 2007
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
Moonlit seascape: two figures, a large anchor, and a sailboat on a rocky shore
Detailed Description
A horizontal painting depicts a dark, moonlit coastal scene. The upper half of the image is dominated by a deep gray to black sky, filled with dark clouds. A bright, circular moon is visible in the upper left quadrant, casting a strong, shimmering reflection across the water below. The clouds immediately surrounding the moon are illuminated with soft, silvery-white and light gray tones. A distinct horizon line separates the sky from the water. The water surface reflects the moonlight as a wide, bright path extending from the horizon towards the foreground, creating a luminous streak across the otherwise dark sea. A small sailboat with a single, light-colored sail is visible on the water to the right of the moon's reflection, appearing to move towards the right side of the frame. The lower half of the painting shows a dark, rocky shore. The ground is uneven, composed of dark brown and reddish-brown earth with scattered dark gray rocks of various sizes. In the mid-ground, slightly to the left of center, two figures stand on the shore. One figure, appearing larger, is dressed in dark clothing with some lighter accents. The second, smaller figure stands close to the first, looking towards the water. To their right, a large, dark, metallic anchor is partially embedded in the ground, its flukes pointing upwards and to the right. The scene is dimly lit by the moon, creating strong contrasts between the bright moonlit areas and the deep shadows. The overall color palette is dark, dominated by grays, browns, and deep blues, with the bright moonlight providing the main source of illumination.
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