Study of seashore, Point Judith, RI
Classification
seascapes
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of the National Academy of Design from the Mrs. William T. Brewster Bequest
Accession Number
1953-179-72
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
William Trost Richards created this evocative seascape study around 1877, turning his attention to the rugged coastline at Point Judith, Rhode Island. As an American artist of the period, Richards frequently explored coastal subjects, capturing the interplay of sea, sky, and shore with careful observation. The title “Study” suggests the work may have served as a preparatory exploration, allowing the artist to examine the textures and moods of the Atlantic shoreline. Classified simply as a seascape, the piece reflects the 19th-century fascination with America’s natural environments at a time when the nation was expanding and redefining its relationship with the landscape. Its presence in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, gifted through the National Academy of Design from the Mrs. William T. Brewster Bequest, underscores its value to the story of American art. Research on the work continues, inviting visitors to appreciate both its quiet beauty and the ongoing discoveries it may yield.