The Cleveland Museum of Art

Point Judith, Rhode Island

oil on canvasMartin Johnson Heade (American, 1819–1904)/1867–68

Description

One of only a handful of nocturnal scenes painted by Heade, this evocative painting captures the effects of glimmering moonlight on land, sea, and sky. Although the artist depicts a specific location, his nighttime rendering shrouds most details in shadow, imparting a greater sense of mood than place. Human presence manifests itself through two sailing ships on the left side of the composition.

Provenance

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio; (Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art); James H. and Adeline [b. 1933] Anderson, consigned to Hirschl & Adler 1; Lucy Joseph Harris, Providence and Little Compton, RI, by descent to her daughter and son-in-law, Adeline and James H. Anderson; Benjamin P. Harris, Jr. [1901-1953], Providence, RI, by descent to his wife, Lucy Joseph Harris; Mona Elizabeth Tower Harris [1871-1944], Providence, RI, by descent to her son, Benjamin P. Harris, Jr.; Benjamin P. Harris, Providence, RI [1873-1943], by descent to his wife, Mona Elizabeth Tower Harris; Sarah Bullock Harris [1834-1922], Providence, RI, by descent to her son, Benjamin P. Harris; Thomas Harris [1825-1898], Providence, RI, by descent to his wife, Sarah Bullock Harris

Dimensions

72.3 × 128 cm

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Movement / Period

American Painting and Sculpture

Accession No

1970.161

Official Citations

[The Cleveland Museum of Art Official Record][Full Resolution Image]

Curatorial Affinity Stream

Continuing the Universe of Martin Johnson Heade (American, 1819–1904)

American Painting and Sculpture • America • Harmonious Works & Contemporaries

Continuous Discovery