The artwork titled “Squall, Greenland,” created by Rockwell Kent in 1937, is a significant piece within the American Realism art movement and falls under the landscape genre. This painting is currently housed in the Hermitage Museum located in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
The artwork depicts a dramatic coastal scene dominated by a rugged, imposing cliff face, which rises sharply from the deep, turbulent waters below. The mountain rocks are bathed in hues of purple and brown, casting long shadows that highlight their imposing forms. Above, the sky is rendered in deep blues, transitioning into lighter shades, and is partially obscured by elongated, wispy clouds that emphasize the sense of depth and movement. In the foreground, the choppy waters exhibit a nuanced play of light and dark, suggesting the presence of a squall. A small sailboat, dwarfed by the vastness of the natural landscape, is seen navigating the restless sea, adding a human element to this powerful depiction of nature’s grandeur. The composition and color palette echo the artist’s ability to capture the sublime beauty and raw power of the Greenlandic landscape.
