Cliffs and Sea at Ogunquit, Maine 1899

Curator: Charles Herbert's "Cliffs and Sea at Ogunquit, Maine" presents a rugged coastline. The painting offers a somber, almost brooding feel, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely! It’s like peering into the soul of the ocean itself. I feel the chill and the spray—it’s powerful. The materiality—how that dark, heavy paint is applied—really emphasizes the weight of the cliffs. Curator: The visible brushstrokes suggest a direct engagement with the landscape. It makes you wonder about Herbert's process, his choice of pigments, and how he translated the scene before him. The artwork prompts us to consider the labor involved. Editor: And that emerald green sea! It's almost otherworldly, a place of secrets. I bet Herbert felt the pull of this place, the wildness—it's all in the brushwork. It's transportive, isn't it? Curator: Indeed. It’s a potent reminder of how landscape painting can connect us to the raw, unyielding forces of nature. Editor: Yes, I walked right into that cold, lovely scene for a minute! Thank you.