An Arctic Summer: Boring Through the Pack in Melville Bay

William Bradford

Created:

Movement:

1871

Realism

key Notes:

Arctic exploration; Icebound seascape

Dimensions:

51 3/4 x 78 in. (131.4 x 198.1 cm); framed: 60 x 86 1/2 x 4 in.

medium:

Oil on canvas

Difficulty:

Intermediate

New game

story of the work:

"An Arctic Summer: Boring Through the Pack in Melville Bay" is a painting by William Bradford, created in 1871, that depicts the challenges of Arctic exploration, showcasing the dramatic interplay of ice and light. The work reflects Bradford's fascination with the Arctic landscape and his firsthand experiences during his expeditions, contributing to the 19th-century interest in polar exploration.

Description of the work:

"An Arctic Summer: Boring Through the Pack in Melville Bay" by William Bradford, created in 1871, depicts a dramatic scene of ice-laden waters with a ship navigating through the pack ice, characterized by a palette of cool blues and whites that evoke the starkness of the Arctic environment. The composition emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow on the ice formations, while the meticulous attention to detail in the ship and surrounding landscape reflects Bradford's commitment to realism and his fascination with polar exploration.

Artwork Photograph Source:

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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