Squall, Greenland 1937

Rockwell Kent’s "Squall, Greenland" is a painting seemingly made with firm, even strokes, like the controlled swell of the sea itself. There’s a feeling of solidity here, in the mountain's craggy face and the small boat sailing into the frame. The paint is applied smoothly, with a limited palette that emphasizes the monumental scale of the landscape. Look at the way the light catches the peaks of the mountains, how Kent models the rock face with subtly shifting tones. It’s this attention to detail that lends the scene its weight and presence. The surface is not overly textured, but the physicality of the oil on canvas is apparent. Kent reminds me of Edward Hopper, another artist who found ways to express the austere beauty of the American landscape. In the end, the real joy in art is seeing how different artists interpret the world around them and make it new.