Good Harbor Beach, Cape Ann, Massachusetts 1868 - 1875

William Trost Richards created this graphite drawing of Good Harbor Beach on Cape Ann, Massachusetts. At first glance, the composition appears deceptively simple: a clear horizon line, a vast expanse of sky, and the detailed articulation of the shoreline in the lower quadrant. However, the interplay between these elements creates a tension between observation and abstraction. Richards meticulously renders the geological forms of the coast. Note how he uses the graphite to create texture and shadow. The landscape becomes a study in contrasts: the solid, irregular forms of the rocks against the smooth, reflective sea. This work invites us to consider how the artist’s representation balances fidelity to the natural world with an analytical reduction of form, leaving a sense of openness and possibility.