back
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? ⚓
Caspar David Friedrich, Monk by the Sea, 1808 or 1810, oil on canvas, 110 x 171.5 cm (Alte Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin). Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.
Content produced by: Smarthistory
On the agenda

video - 4:05
Friedrich, Monk by the Sea
By: SmartHistory

video - 5:08
The Monk by the Sea
By: Shawn Grenier | The Canvas

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