The artwork “Sunset on the Sea” is an exemplar of the Romanticism movement, created by the artist John Frederick Kensett in 1872. It is an oil on canvas measuring 28 x 41 1/8 inches (71.1 x 104.5 cm) and is presently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork presents a serene view of the sea at sunset. The horizon is visibly marked by the gentle intersection of sea and sky. A warm, radiant glow from the setting sun permeates the sky, with hues ranging from a deep orange to a soft yellow blending into the cool blue at the upper reaches of the canvas. The clouds, touched by the sun’s light, are tinged with shades of orange and grey, suggesting the peaceful close of a day. Below, the sea appears calm with gentle ripples reflecting the sunset’s colors, indicating the sun’s influence stretching down into the waters. The entire scene is devoid of human presence, evincing a sense of solitude and the natural world’s tranquil beauty. The artist has employed a soft approach to texture and color, effectively conveying the ephemeral quality of the fleeting moment.
