The artwork “Rocks and Shore” was created by Edward Hopper between approximately 1916 and 1919. This landscape painting is executed in oil on wood with dimensions of 26.7 by 33 cm. The painting embodies characteristics of the Impressionism movement and is housed at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, New York, in the United States.
The artwork presents a vivid coastal scene, with a focus on the interplay of natural elements. The composition is dominated by the contrast between the forms and colors of the rocks and the body of water in the background. Bold brushstrokes define the texture of the rocky shoreline, which is bathed in a warm palette of oranges and yellows, suggesting the time of day might be around sunrise or sunset, when the light casts vibrant hues on the landscape. Shadows are rendered in darker tones, providing depth and emphasizing the rugged topography. The water is depicted with cooler blues, creating a sense of calm that starkly contrasts the roughness of the rocky shore. This effect is heightened by the use of swift and expressive brushstrokes capturing the dynamic essence and transient light inherent to Impressionism. Overall, the artwork reflects Hopper’s early exploration of light and landscape before his subsequent shift to a more realist approach in his later career.
