Sailing Home in Timely Rain

These large sails create a strong impression. Applied with a flat, wide brush, angled from upper right to lower left, the bold strokes convey the strength of the wind and rain. Under the bulging sails, the light background naturally draws the eye to the sailors. Now that the wind has started blowing, a hauling deckhand is eager to get the sails set. We can imagine a similar scene on all the ships as they get under way . Although rain can sometimes hinder navigation, it lowers the temperature and rouses the wind. Harnessing the wind to drive them homeward, despite the wet, the crew must have welcomed the rain. This powerful composition, boldly crowded with sails, opens out beyond the edges of the image itself. By leaving the surface of the paper unsealed, the artist could exploit effects from the absorption of ink into the paper and the blending of adjacent strokes.