Rocks by the Sea, Newport 1816 - 1906

Daniel Huntington sketched "Rocks by the Sea, Newport" with graphite on paper. Look at the imposing rocks dominating the left side of the work. Rocks, as primordial symbols, deeply connect us to the origins of the earth, evoking feelings of stability, permanence, and the sublime force of nature. We can trace this symbolism through history. Consider the rocky landscapes of Caspar David Friedrich, or even ancient mythologies where rocks are the foundation of the world. Rocks can be found across cultures, representing the immutable. But here, Huntington's rocks, with their rough texture and sharp edges, create a sense of instability. The Romantic painters were drawn to the sublimity of nature, its power to inspire awe but also terror. Perhaps this contrast reflects our collective subconscious anxieties about nature, reminding us of our vulnerability. As we reflect on these rocks, consider how symbols are never static. Their cyclical return in art and culture shows how images engage with human emotions across time.