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Sea in arts 🌊
Mysterious, dangerous, soothing or sublime, the sea is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for artists. Until the 19th century, it was a world that often evoked fear. Storms, shipwrecks and abysses formed the backdrop to a rich artistic output. Then, from the 1850s onwards, a change took place. Fascination overcame the terror of the open sea. Embark on an artistic voyage that combines mythological tales, romantic explorations and contemporary views of maritime issues. Ready to weigh anchor? ⚓

Curator Frank Feltens discusses Hokusai’s piece, Breaking Waves.

Content produced by : Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art

Credits : Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

On the agenda
video - 3:08
Breaking Waves
By: Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
video - 4:04
Waves of Matsushima
By: Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
video - 6:30
Hiroshi Sugimoto – “The Stormy Sea” by Gustave Courbet
By: Musée d'Orsay
podcast - 9:55
On the Coast of New Jersey by William Trost Richards
By: A Long Look
video - 15:07
The Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich
By: Great Art Explained
podcast - 8:54
The Great Wave
By: A Long Look
video - 4:05
Friedrich, Monk by the Sea
By: SmartHistory
video - 5:08
The Monk by the Sea
By: Shawn Grenier | The Canvas