Analysis of Ship at Sea, Sunset by Edward Moran

Ship at Sea, Sunset by Edward Moran

   "Ship at Sea, Sunset", a famous piece by the American impressionist painter Edward Moran, is a testament to his uniquely realistic marine artistic style. Born on August 19th, 1829, in England, Moran’s path led him to Maryland and Philadelphia in 1844 at the age of 15 (Smithsonian American Art Museum). Guided by his teacher, James Hamilton, he delved into the world of marine painting. His ambition and passion for art (as well as his unwavering drive to be recognized) took him to the Royal Academy of Arts in  London, before he returned to the United States and established a studio in New York City (Smithsonian American Art Museum, Schweizer, P. D., Moran, E). It was here that Moran embarked on his most famous series of  work in 1885, a collection of 13 paintings that depicted the Marine  history of the United States (13 for the 13 colonies). This series was proudly displayed at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, marking a significant milestone in Moran’s career (Schweizer, P. D., Moran, E).

    The painting “Ship at Sea, Sunset” wonderfully displays elements such as lines, space, color, and value. The lines in this painting are almost all curved in a sweeping motion from left to right; this technique gives a “motion” to the painting that pulls the eye from left to right along the lines. The interesting part of this technique is that the subject of the painting (a ship at sea) is experiencing a crosswind from left to right (as shown by the sails, waves, and flag),  meaning the eye follows the designated wind direction. From my standpoint, this element gives the painting a very “real” feeling; it grants a natural sense of feeling the wind and waves.

    Similarly, the space of the painting creates a three-dimensional sense of depth inward into the painting. Elements of space are used to show that the waves at the lower portion of the picture are closer (given the sharper details in individual waves, along with the size compared to waves further away). This technique makes the ship “sit back” in the painting and gives the impression of being at sea alongside a following ship (my interpretation of it, at least!).

    The colors of the painting are my favorite aspect because the yellow and orange contrast the darker green/blue of the ocean, creating a “deep” feeling of the sea. Value also plays a role, given the depth created in the waves, by using darker tones of green to show the darkness of the ocean below the ship. The painting also utilizes few but impactful colors, which do not take away from the lines or space (color can overwhelm me personally). Color is also used to show reflections on the sea, which further reinforces both the space utilization and amplifies the use of lines, given that the lines act as points of contrast between sky and sea.

    This is the type of art that reminds me of home! I grew up spending a lot of time on the Great Lakes and throughout New England on the ocean, and depictions of ships at sea are a common theme. I thought the background of Edward Moran was interesting, given that this painting was likely inspired by the exact locations where I spent a lot of my childhood (although the exact time and location are unknown). I was particularly obsessed with the lakes, ocean, and storms (I had a love/hate relationship with waves; I loved watching and thinking about them but HATED being in them). I feel like this painting is calming to me because of the isolation, water, and little “taste of home” I feel looking at it!

 

Work Cited

Smithsonian American Art Museum. “Edward Moran.” Smithsonian American Art Museum, americanart.si.edu/artist/edward-moran-3400.

 Schweizer, P. D., Moran, E., Delaware Art Museum., & Mariners' Museum (Newport News, Va.). (1979)

Edward Moran, (1829-1901), American marine and landscape painter: Exhibition, Delaware Art 

Museum, April 27-June 3, 1979, the Mariners Museum, June 17-August 5, 1979. Wilmington: 

Delaware Art Museum.