The artwork titled “Crepuscule in Flesh Color and Green: Valparaiso” was created by the artist James McNeill Whistler in 1866. It is an oil painting on canvas with dimensions of 75.88 x 58.42 cm. The piece is a representation of the art movements Realism and Tonalism and falls under the genre of marina, an artistic term referring to sea-related scenes.
The artwork itself depicts a tranquil harbor scene at dusk, with an array of ships moored in still water. The dominance of horizontal lines and the calm, muted color palette contribute to the serene atmosphere of the piece. The sky is adorned with soft, elongated clouds in varying shades of purple and pale yellow, suggesting the gentle glow of twilight. The water reflects these colors, creating a harmonious blend between sky and sea.
Ships of different sizes are scattered across the calm waters, their masts and rigging drawn with fine detail. However, the details of the ships and their construction are somewhat subdued, likely a characteristic of the tonalism movement, emphasizing atmosphere and mood over precise detail. The artist’s use of light and shadow subtly suggests the forms and structures of the ships, inviting the viewer to engage with the simplicity and quietude of the port setting.
Whistler’s technique in “Crepuscule in Flesh Color and Green: Valparaiso” exhibits a departure from detailed narrative towards a focus on tone and color harmonies, which became a hallmark of his stylistic approach and contribution to these movements in art history.
