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
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 w...