Jonah
ca. 1885-1895
Albert Pinkham Ryder’s 'Jonah' throws the viewer straight into a biblical tempest. Swirling, dark brushstrokes create a chaotic ocean where the prophet is cast overboard, while a glowing, ethereal figure—God—watches from the heavens above. Ryder wasn't interested in realistic details; he wanted to capture the terrifying power of nature and the divine. He was a notorious perfectionist who would rework his canvases for years, layering paint until it cracked, giving this piece its intense, rugged texture.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum
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