Stranded Ship on East Hampton Beach

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Stranded Ship on East Hampton Beach

Thomas Moran is known for his oil paintings of the natural world. He captures nature at the moment in which he sees it; this may, in turn, be serene but also show the dramatic and violent natures of his momentary surroundings. In the compositions chosen he illustrates, as the title infers, a vessel caught in the turbulent, tumultuous sea. As he captured this image, he kept in mind the destructive nature of water also the constructive nature of water. Water has the ability to enable cultures to thrive and to barely survive. Water was the main source transportation of goods, ideas and communication in prehistoric times. In his composition, Moran displays the solid and life-depending aspect of water as well as the frail nature of water which has the potential to be life-threatening. Thomas Moran’s Stranded Ship on East Hampton Beach displays an image of a tumultuous beach and the interaction of people with the natural world. The intent of the piece is not to portray a stormy beach on realistic terms. Instead, Moran’s art is a production of an artist whose intent was to translate and communicate the necessity of interaction between humans through the dramatic scene. Through the basic art principles of medium selection, form, and content, the audience of this piece is better equipped to understand Moran’s intent in creating this work of art.

Moran’s oil painting entitled Stranded Ship on East Hampton Beach; a vessel taking the blows of the rough beach tide is definitely the predominant, but not exclusive, visual element. On the left side of the composition, we see the exposed sand bar because of the retreating wave. In the distance, a symbol of constancy and valor stands the American flag, protect...

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Moran, Thomas. Stranded Ship on East Hampton Beach. 1895. Oil on Canvas. Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Houston.

Nguyen, Alex. "Final Analysis." Final Report, Moran's Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. UMD.edu. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. .

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