Sea

Majestic and tyrannical, the sea has never ceased to fascinate artists. Untameable, this force of nature seems to have a life of its own and has inspired many artists. Since antiquity, the sea has been represented in all its glory, century after century it is honoured through various styles and colours. However, this desire to escape to the great outdoors is certainly not only reserved for 21st century painters

Maritime art began at the same time as history painting - in the 15th century, and they share many common traits. Maritime painting mostly depicts scenes of combat, historical incidents and mythology where people play a crucial role. It wasn't until the 17th century that artists stopped depicting people in their seascapes and focused solely on the representation of the landscape itself instead.

In the Middle Ages, shipwrecks and storms terrorised citizens as they interpreted them as signs of God's wrath. he church even used images of the rough sea to hold power over its believers.

Representations in classical painting were strictly governed by academic rules, and often didn't manage to convey true emotion. Maritime scenes joined the mainstream in the 19th century, especially with the arrival of the Romantic period as emotions played a much greater role in marine painting. The two great masters of the period were J.M.W Turner and Caspar David Friedrich who captured the attention of their contemporaries and whose works continue to mesmerise us today.

For the impressionists, the sea was a sublimation of nature. During the 19th century, artists come out of their studios in order to paint and describe nature as they saw and feel it. By the end of the 19th century, the sea was no longer a simple, blue expanse but rather an eruption of emotions illuminated through painting.

Contemporary art offers a new insight into creation. Today, the technique is overrun by the message and intention of the work. Therefore, we find all varieties of sea illustrations where the sea becomes an image of contemporary creation. Even though the sea is sometimes reinvented, it remains true to reality.

The new generation of contemporary artists create works that depict freshness, escape, lost coves, waves, and that salty seaside air. Discover our selection inspired by ocean waters.

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Categories

Subcategories

Sea

Vagues

Aqua alta

Sans titre

Beauport

Sans titre (diptyque)

Finestra sul mare 381286

Dramatic Seascape with Stormy Sky

Lake Dreams

Tides of Tranquility

Timeless Beauty

Radiance of the Riviera

Dawning sea

The prospect of rest

In the cobweb mast

Ruins of civilization

Evening on the shore

Lake Ossiach

Breath of Nature

Bay of Balos

Last rays of the sun

Evening sea

Amber Surf

Stormy Open Water Blues

Grey Beach Day. Parasols

XXXL Ocean of Emotion

Horizon 12

Baltic_Ice_Kakumaee_005

La nuit des voiliers... (Esprit voile 2016)

Sunset Sails

Paysage Marin 17

Peaceful in morning

Bay

My dream

In port

L'heure bleue 040817

Coque de bateau - Île d'Aix

La déferlante en mer

Caleta Beach

Bright Life Underwater Painting was created underwater at the depth of 9.6m

Kaleidoskope Underwater Painting was created underwater at the depth of 7.6m

Sardines Underwater painting was created underwater at the depth of 7.1m

Vestiges

Blue dream

It 's a simple day

Baltic_Ice_II_Helsinki_013

Baltic_Ice_II_Helsinki_012

Kermouster

September

Profondeurs marines

View From The Tate

Snorkelling In The Shallows

Night life

Full Calm

Bright Sea

Silence on the Sea

Ensablement des posidonies

Lacanau beach

Sea I

From my campervan to the Sea

Magali Camber Sands 1

Evening Naousa

Bait Ball Sardines

Ocean's Rhythm

Azure Serenity: A Moment of Calm

Golden Horizon: Embrace of Earth and Sky

Emerald Horizon: Depths of Tranquility

Azure Horizon: A Burst of Serenity in Blue Hues

Ocean's Embrace: A Majestic Blue Vista