After the Hurricane, Bahamas (1899) by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910)The Art Institute of Chicago
Water is the source of all life on our planet. It's little wonder that countless artists have been inspired and fascinated by oceans, rivers, and seas.
But painting water brings its own set of unique challenges, responded to in characteristic ways by different artists.
But can you identify the following paintings and artists from a close-up of the water and waves in their works?
Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji: The Great Wave Off the Coast of Kanagawa (Edo period, 19th century) by Katsushika HokusaiTokyo National Museum
Artwork 1
This 1831 print gained significant worldwide attention despite Japan being under a strict period of isolation at the time. The image focuses on the unpredictable and often raging seas near Japan’s famous Mount Fuji.
The work was part of a series of scenes labeled Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. This was the most famous as it depicted the ocean in all its unpredictable anger. The waters around Fuji were said to fill sailors with an extreme sense of trepidation and dread.
The work was completed in a hypnotising blue, forming the foaming and roaring waves and crashing sea. Mount Fuji is visible in the distance, but it is the wave that dominates the frame.
But can you name the artwork?
'The Great Wave' – Katsushika Hokusai
Created between 1829 and 1833, this print can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Impression, Soleil Levant (Rising Sun), 1872 by Claude MonetOriginal Source: Paris, musée Marmottan
Artwork 2
This work was first exhibited in 1874 and shows a serene depiction of the harbour at Le Havre, France. The artist gained much attention for the subtle changes and uses of soft colors to show the first glimpse of the morning sun.
A number of small boats, presumably paddled by local fisherman on their way out to land a catch, are silhouetted on the water and reflected by some causal brushstrokes.
As the light pierces through the hazy fog and mist of the morning, bolder colors appear on the water, cutting through a more muted palette.
But do you know the artist or the picture?
'Impression, Sunrise' – Claude Monet
This 1872 work is currently on display at the Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris.
The Fighting Temeraire, 1839 by Joseph Mallord William TurnerOriginal Source: Royaume-Uni, London, National Gallery
Artwork 3
This work depicts a point in history when sailing ships had begun to be rendered obsolete by steam power and more modern forms of propulsion. These new ships could travel faster and further and a whole fleet of older wooden sail ships were being retired.
In this picture, and old sail boat is being dragged to be broken up, after having played a major role in the Battle of Trafalgar, a major English maritime victory. The artist sees the beauty in the fading grandeur of the ship but it is the sky and reflections in the water that really dazzle.
The larger and older ship is somewhat lost in the misty and murky tones of the background as the newer steam ship in the foreground is clearer and in greater focus.
But who painted this historical maritime classic?
'The Fighting Temeraire' – J.M.W Turner
This 1838 work has a permanent home at the National Gallery in London.
Monk by the Sea (1808/1810) by Caspar David FriedrichAlte Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Artwork 4
The ocean seems to blend into the sky, with the horizon blurred slightly by clouds or fog. A lone figure stares out into the waves.
It was painted between 1808 and 1810 and is regarded as one of the most famous German works from that time. The sky dominates most of the canvas, with only a small section of the land and sea at the bottom.
The elements surrounding the lonely figure seem to suggest human insignificance compared to the vastness of God, nature, and the universe.
But what is the painting?
'The Monk by the Sea' – Caspar David Friedrich
This work is on show at the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin, Germany.
Monet's studio-boat (1874) by Claude MonetKröller-Müller Museum
Want to know more about the use and role of water in art?
Then you can find out more here.
