The shores of Dalmatia 1848

"The shores of Dalmatia" was painted by Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky, who lived in the 19th century. The artist used oil paints to create this serene image of a coastal landscape. Aivazovsky applied thin layers of pigment to achieve a smooth surface, building depth through subtle gradations of color. The luminosity of the sky and water is achieved with delicate brushwork. The artist was celebrated in his lifetime for his ability to capture the ephemeral quality of light on water. But consider too the implied labor in this scene. The distant town likely depends on the boats that sail, and the labor of the people on land, bringing resources to the city. It’s easy to be seduced by the image’s beauty, but reflecting on the production happening beyond the frame gives a deeper insight into the world it represents. By considering the techniques and materials of this painting, and the lives of people represented within it, we can begin to appreciate the full complexity of the artwork.