“Coastal Scene,” created by Charles Demuth in 1915, is an exemplary work of Expressionism within the landscape genre. The artwork illustrates a serene and vibrant coastal landscape with loose, fluid brushstrokes that convey a sense of motion and spontaneity.
In the artwork, the viewer is presented with a coastal area depicted in a rich blend of colors. The horizon is distinguished by rolling hills adorned with small structures, possibly houses, amidst a varied palette that ranges from soft greens to deep blues and purples. The foreground is characterized by a lighter spectrum, featuring pale yellows and subtle hints of pink and red, capturing the texture of the land leading towards the sea. The use of watercolor lends an ethereal quality to the scene, enhancing the expressive and almost dream-like atmosphere of the piece. The forms are not distinct but suggested, allowing the colors and brushstrokes to evoke the essence of a coastal landscape.
