Toilers of the Sea
Photo from Metropolitan Museum of Art) Artist - Albert Pinkham Rhyder Date Created - 1800's during the Antebellum Period (before the American Civil War). The Antebellum period was an interresting time in both society and artistry. There was a cultural split in the Union of America, between the Aristrocrats of the North and the poorer citizens of the South. This led to a change in artistic preference, pushing artists to create more realxing works. This led to the Modern-Romantisism Period in art. |
Toilers of the Sea is a simplistic, yet romantic painting. Toilers of the Sea depicts a small sailboat alone in the vast ocean. The boat is sailing towards the sunrise (or sunset). Storm clouds can be seen in the distance, creating waves on the top of the ocean. The creator, Albert Pinkham Rhyder, used a select few hues of orange, brown, and yellow for a simplistic look.
The title gives off an adventurous vibe, Toilers of the Sea, one that just makes you feel happy and nostlgic in a sense. The painting itself is made from oil on wood, which is what gives this work its colors, or lack of. Rhyder used diferent values of orange and yellow to create scenery, such as the clouds in the sky, the sunlight, and the waves and whitecaps on the ocean. Toilers of the Sea uses most of the principles of art. This particular work is a perfect representation on unity, being monotone and feeling wholesome. It has two main focal points, with the emphasis on the sailboat. The sun is alsoa focal point, and is the first thing your eye naturally looks at. The painting is also balanced in all areas of the work. No corner is left feeling "heavier" than another, for example, the sun in the upper left corner is balanced by the clouds in the upper right corner. The proportions are relatively accurate as well, however the sun does seem a bit large. Rhyder's painting does lack pattern and rhythm, however, that does not stop it from being a complete work of art. Toilers of the Sea has no interpretable symbolism nor a deeper purpose other than being art. As a painting, it does a good job as relaxing the viewer. It made me feel nostalgia, though I don't remeber any experiences similar to what is being shown in Rhyder's work. Over all, it's simply pleasing to look at. Toilers of the Sea has its faults. For exmple, the paint makes the canvas look scratched and worn, I'm unsure if that was Rhyder's intent ot not. Rhyder also used grotesque colors that don't feel romantic like the subjects and location of the painting. The painting also lacks uniqueness. There are hundreds of similar looking romantic paintings. If i could modify this painting I use other colors, such as bright red and orange. Toilers of the Sea is what it is, and it's just fine. Though monotone and simple, it makes the best of what it is, and does so well. To put simply, Rhyder's work deseres to be recognized and appreciated, but not praised. |