Under a Cloud
Albert Pinkham Ryder, ca. 1900
About this artwork
Albert Pinkham Ryder's *Under a Cloud* (ca. 1900) captures the moody essence of the sea in oil on canvas, measuring 20 x 24 inches. This American work, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, exemplifies Ryder's signature style as a Tonalist painter. Known for his romantic, visionary depictions of nature, Ryder often evoked mystery and introspection through simplified forms, earthy palettes, and thick impasto layers that lent his surfaces a sculptural depth. Oil on canvas allowed him to build these textured effects slowly, mirroring the timeless swell of ocean waves. The painting's tags—seascapes and boats—suggest a dramatic marine scene, likely featuring vessels dwarfed by a brooding sky, a recurring motif in Ryder's oeuvre. Created around the turn of the century, it reflects America's growing fascination with the sublime power of the natural world amid industrialization. Ryder, a reclusive artist influenced by European masters like Rembrandt, prioritized emotional resonance over photographic realism, making his works enduring symbols of introspection. Generously gifted to the Met in 1988 by Alice E. Van Orden in memory of her husband, Dr. T. Durland Van Orden, *Under a Cloud* invites visitors to ponder the sea's quiet drama—a perfect gem for contemplating human fragility against nature's vastness.