Seascape (from Sketchbook VII) 1886

William Trost Richards created this small pencil sketch called "Seascape" as part of his Sketchbook VII. The composition is simple, dominated by horizontal lines that delineate the sky, sea, and shore. The limited tonal range focuses attention on the artist's use of line and texture to convey depth and movement. Richards' sketch can be understood through the lens of formalism, where the artwork's meaning is derived from its intrinsic visual elements. The repeated horizontal strokes create a sense of rhythm, echoing the constant motion of the sea. The subtle gradations in tone, achieved through varying pencil pressure, suggest atmospheric perspective. The closely spaced, darker lines at the bottom anchor the composition and provide a sense of grounding. This emphasis on the formal elements aligns with broader artistic and philosophical concerns of Richards' time. By reducing the seascape to its essential linear components, Richards invites us to contemplate the fundamental structures that underpin our perception of the natural world. It's a reminder that art is always open to interpretation, shaped by both its formal qualities and the viewer's own unique perspective.