A Rocky Coast by Moonlight

late 1820s

William West or Samuel Jackson

Associated Names
William West

Artist, British, 1801 - 1861

Samuel Jackson

Artist, British, 1794 - 1869

The image shows a seascape view from a low angle, looking towards an expansive body of water. The horizon divides the ocean below from the sky above. There are no distinct objects on the horizon. The brushstrokes are textured and soft, with a subtle speckled effect creating movement in the water and sky. The color palette is primarily browns and sepia tones, creating an earthy and monochromatic feel. Rugged, rocky formations stretch into the water on the right, while the water extends into the distance, meeting a cloudy sky with varying shades of brown.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    brown wash with blotting and surface scraping on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of William B. O'Neal

  • Dimensions

    overall: 23.5 x 34.1 cm (9 1/4 x 13 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1995.52.198


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Rev. Canon Charles Hugh Egerton Smyth (1903-1987), England; (J.S. Maas & Co. Ltd, London) purchased by William B. O'Neal, Charlottesville, VA, 1973-1994; gift to NGA, 1995.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1993

  • Drawings from the O'Neal Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1993, no. 44, as Bristol School.

1996

  • Drawings from the O'Neal Collection, Georgia Museum of Art, The University of Georgia, Athens, 4 May-16 June, 1996.

Bibliography

1993

  • NGA O'Neal 1993, ex 44 as Bristol School.

Wikidata ID

Q64639824

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