A beautiful day presented by American luminous artist William Trost Richards, one in which everything is going right. For a painting to be universally considered a top work, it must hold a broad appeal, yet possess an unquantifiable sense of originality and perfection. Undeniably, this is a superior coastal seascape. Richards has painted a captivating seascape abundant with true marine color. The cool shore line glistens, with translucent light cutting through the face of the small waves. The reflective light is of such accomplishment that the visual images stirs firsthand remembrances of the sounds and sensations from our individual memories of the seashore.
The dramatic devices of the horizon-holding small sailboat, and the beach remains of a less fortunate boat are a conceptual idea that Richards shares with many of the best 19TH Century American marine artists, including A.T. Bricher and F.A. Silva. What is so outstandingly unique is Richards' touch in this specific instance to illuminate the heavens in such an intricately detailed and layered manner. The sun's focal draw is perfectly balanced yet unobtrusive. The clouds have movement and depth, and the overall sensation of a cool wet day along the coast is well understood. Richards in his later career painted almost exclusively seascapes, and exhibited many of them within the annual exhibits of the National Academy of Design, where he was elected a full member in 1871. This is a beautiful seascape in an unusual and desirable vertical format by this recognized master.
