Sunburst at Sea

Lovell Birge Harrison was an American genre and landscape painter, teacher, and writer, and one of the leading practitioners and advocates of Tonalism (a hazy, mood-driven style that emerged in the 1880s and favored muted, harmonious color over sharp detail). That sensibility shines through in Sunburst at Sea, where his choice of pastel only deepens the effect.

This medium was also practical. Harrison suffered from lead poisoning, likely brought on by years of working in oil, and turned to pastel as a result. He came to embrace it wholeheartedly: "During the past two years I have produced a series of paintings in pastel which are as sound and lasting as the best oil paintings while retaining the exquisite bloom and atmospheric quality which is the distinctive beauty of the pastel, a quality which is due, of course, to its soft, dry, unreflecting surface."

Today is the last day of Summer. We hope you enjoyed it! See you tomorrow, in Autumn!

P.S. Don't miss the opportunity to order our brand new edition of weekly planners and other calendars with a 15% discount. The presale ends at midnight!

P.P.S. Let's explore all types of clouds in art! If you want to learn about the movement represented by today's painting, here's all you need to know about Tonalism.