“Arrangement in Blue and Silver – The Great Sea,” created by James McNeill Whistler circa 1885, is a watercolor masterpiece exemplifying the Impressionism art movement. This marina genre piece measures 44.7 x 64.26 cm, reflecting Whistler’s deft hand in capturing the sea’s dynamism through his delicate and evocative watercolor technique.
The artwork depicts a tumultuous seascape, with the waves rendered in fluid strokes of blue and silver hues. The undulating movement of the water is emphasized through the interplay of light and shadow, capturing the ever-changing nature of the sea. The atmospheric quality of the piece is heightened by the indistinct horizon and sky, utilizing soft washes of color that blend seamlessly with the roiling waves. Whistler’s nuanced palette and loose brushwork create an ethereal, almost dreamlike vision of the marine environment, invoking the transient beauty and power of the ocean.
