Jeweled Coast 1976

Eyvind Earle’s "Jeweled Coast" presents us with a rich landscape dominated by motifs of mountains, trees, and mist, steeped in symbolic weight. Mountains have been used as symbols of eternity and the sublime across many cultures. Here, the cliffs are rendered with an almost crystalline quality, suggesting a link to the divine. Consider the ancient Chinese Shanshui paintings, where mountains embody the harmony between heaven and earth. The pine tree, prominent in the foreground, has long represented resilience, longevity, and virtue, evoking the power of nature to endure and regenerate. Notice how the misty atmosphere blurs the distinction between the tangible and the ethereal. This recalls the mists and fogs that cloak the landscapes in the works of Turner. The mists carry a sense of mystery, obscuring and revealing, thus inviting us to contemplate the impermanence of the world. These symbols resonate deeply within our collective memory. By tapping into these archetypes, Earle’s “Jeweled Coast” evokes a sense of awe, inviting viewers to connect with nature. These symbols reappear in various forms, reflecting our timeless fascination with nature's beauty.