Breaking Waves (from Sketchbook VII) 1886

This is a graphite sketch titled "Breaking Waves", it comes from Sketchbook VII by William Trost Richards. During the late 19th century, landscape artists weren't just painting pretty pictures; they were reflecting America's changing relationship with nature during industrialization. Richards, associated with the Hudson River School, often depicted serene landscapes, but here he captures the ocean's raw power. This was a period where the upper classes found solace and status in nature, while the working class was more divorced from it. Consider the emotional aspect of the waves: do they feel threatening or sublime? The lack of human presence invites us to project our feelings onto the scene. It's interesting how Richards’ detailed yet rapid strokes evoke the ocean’s constant movement and energy. It suggests an experience that’s less about control and more about acknowledging nature's untamable force.