Shells, Watch Hill, Rhode Island
19th century
Medium
black and gray wash over graphite on wove paper
Dimensions
sheet: 13.65 × 17.46 cm (5 3/8 × 6 7/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of William and Abigail Gerdts
Accession Number
2018.44.64
Art Historical Context
Nestled among the treasures of the National Gallery of, *Shells, Watch Hill, Rhode Island* is a delicate 19th-century drawing an anonymous American artist. Capturing a collection of seashells gathered from the shores of Watch Hill—a picturesque beach resort in Rhode Island—this small-scale work (13.65 × 17.46 cm) invites viewers to appreciate the quiet beauty of everyday wonders. Created during an era when Americans were increasingly drawn to coastal escapes and the Romantic allure of the sea, it reflects a personal encounter with the Atlantic's gifts. The artwork employs a meticulous mixed-m...
About the Artist
Anonymous American 19th Century ( ) · –