St. Cyrus 1928

James McBey's watercolor, titled "St. Cyrus," captures a coastal scene, perhaps during the summer of 1925. The painting portrays a dramatic interplay between land and sea, with rugged cliffs and turbulent waters dominating the composition. The motif of the sea, ubiquitous in art history, carries profound symbolic weight. Throughout time, the sea has appeared as a symbol of both promise and destruction. The sea appears serene, yet the undercurrent of potential danger looms large. This duality mirrors our own existential condition, where moments of peace are always juxtaposed with the awareness of impending chaos. In this context, we can see how the painting explores the intersection between nature and humanity, as figures standing on the shore contemplate the ocean. The turbulent waters and formidable cliffs in the painting are an emotional echo of the sublime, and a powerful reminder of our own mortality.