Marine

John La Farge

1883 (?) · Watercolor and gouache on off-white wove paper · The American Wing

While the site in this watercolor cannot be identified, it was probably painted in Newport or Middletown, Rhode Island. The concentration on broad surface masses and the interplay of strong geometries reveal La Farge’s appreciation of Japanese design principles. The artist brought his exceptional gifts as a colorist to the portrayal of the clouds, sea, and sand—three apparently simple elements, each composed with a complex palette of subtle variegated colors.

Artist

John La Farge

Date

1883 (?)

Medium

Watercolor and gouache on off-white wove paper

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Bequest of Susan Dwight Bliss, 1966