Foot Impression in the Sand 

Thomas Sully made this oil on canvas, *Foot Impression in the Sand,* sometime during his career. It depicts a solitary, cloaked figure on a beach, reacting to a footprint in the sand. The painting evokes ideas of isolation and the sublime, very popular during the Romantic era. Sully was a successful portrait painter in the United States during the 19th century. But here he seems to explore deeper philosophical themes. Consider the painting's visual codes: the vast, indifferent ocean; the stormy sky. These suggest the insignificance of the individual in the face of nature. The footprint, a sign of human presence, raises questions about identity and existence. Is the figure alone, or is someone else nearby? The answers aren't available to us. As art historians, we examine the cultural context. The Romantic movement emphasized emotion, imagination, and the individual. Sully’s painting reflects these values, inviting viewers to contemplate their place in the world. By studying his letters and other writings we might better understand his artistic motivations, and place his work in the broader context of American art and ideas.