Mist Over Point Lobos 1918

Rose O’Neill painted this canvas of Point Lobos with oil, building up these fantastic rock formations with visible brushstrokes that feel just on the edge of abstraction. Up close, you can see how O’Neill plays with the thickness of the paint, using these creamy whites and lavenders to build up the rocks, contrasting with the thinner, more fluid blues of the sea. The paint feels almost sculptural, like she’s carving the landscape out of color. I’m particularly drawn to the way she renders the mist; it’s not just an atmospheric effect, but a tangible presence, a veil that softens the harsh edges of the rocks and sea. You can almost feel the dampness in the air. It reminds me a bit of Monet's paintings of Giverny. Both artists are capturing a sense of place, but O’Neill’s vision is more rugged and untamed, more American maybe. There's a quiet beauty here, a reminder that art doesn’t always have to shout to be heard; sometimes, the most powerful statements are whispered.