OH Murmansk 1942

Ernest J. Hopf made this print, called OH Murmansk, using soft colours and understated marks to create a sense of drama. I imagine Hopf, driven by who knows what, mixing colours and layering images, testing and re-testing, until the final image emerged. What was it like for Hopf to create this? I feel like I am there, seeing through his eyes. The ships on the horizon look like they are moving slowly, and everything seems very calm. But there is a sense of unease with the planes in the sky and the white puffs around them, which makes me think something big is about to happen. I am reminded of other artists who have created art about the sea. I like the understated palette and the softness of the scene. Artists are always in conversation, and in turn, they can inspire us to see and experience the world differently. Looking at art that is unresolved and ambiguous encourages us to consider multiple meanings.