Sea and Sky in a Deluge (from Sketchbook VII) 1886

Editor: So, we're looking at William Trost Richards' "Sea and Sky in a Deluge," a pencil drawing from 1886. It's got this incredible, almost… brooding feeling. What catches your eye about it? Curator: Brooding, yes, like the ocean's about to swallow you whole, doesn't it? For me, it's the immediacy. You can practically feel Richards wrestling with the moment, trying to capture this fleeting feeling with nothing but pencil on paper. It’s so raw and honest, and in that honesty, I see myself, every time I’ve felt small against something immense. Ever been there? Editor: Totally! That feeling of being overwhelmed is definitely there. I guess I’m wondering about the technique… how does he create that sense of atmosphere? Curator: Look closely at the sky; see how he's layered those pencil strokes? It's not just about depicting clouds; it’s about suggesting the weight of the air, the dampness. It's almost impressionistic, even though he predates that movement significantly. It's less about realism and more about rendering a feeling. But what does this atmospheric approach say about the ocean and the water level shown below it? Editor: It is an interesting approach, right? That feels relevant and accurate! The horizontality of the work enhances that emotion, emphasizing the expanse of sea and sky. Curator: Absolutely. Richards invites us to confront our own vulnerability, offering the sublime within reach through something as simple as a pencil sketch. I reckon his personal experiences with loss and the frailties of life likely helped shape his perspective. It's like a visual poem, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I never thought of it as a poem, but I see that now! It’s much more than just a landscape; it's an experience. Curator: Exactly. And, perhaps, a comforting reminder that we're all just a small part of something much, much larger.