Harbor Scene

c. 1760

John Greenwood

Associated Names
John Greenwood

Artist, American, 1727 - 1792

The image features a water-level perspective showing maritime activity. The horizon is low, emphasizing the sky and water scene. Distant silhouettes of buildings or fortifications are visible. Various ships of different sizes are depicted, with sails and flags highlighted by watercolor shading. A ship closest to the viewer appears to be firing or smoking on the left side. To the right, figures are pulling a fishing net with a catch. The color palette is primarily gray tones, giving the image an aged appearance, reminiscent of old photographs or sketches, evoking a classic nautical atmosphere.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    brush and gray ink with gray wash on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    John Davis Hatch Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 17.7 x 24.5 cm (6 15/16 x 9 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1979.20.52


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

John Davis Hatch [1907-1996], by 1976; gift 1979 to the National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Bibliography

1976

  • Hatch, John Davis. 100 American Drawings: Loan Exhibition from the Collection of John Davis Hatch. London: Heim Gallery, 1976, no. 17.

Inscriptions

lower center verso in graphite: John Greenwood born at Boston New England U.S. / died at Margate England in 1792 / from Stuart Feld, / Hirschl & Adler 1968; upper center verso in graphite: J. Greenwood; upper right verso in graphite: 3

Wikidata ID

Q64582685

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