Solitude (Harrison)

Solitude is a painting by Thomas Alexander Harrison. It is oil on canvas, 100 cm x 170 cm. The painting was acquired by the French state from the Salon in 1893 and currently displayed at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.[1][2][3]

Harrison solitude

History

After purchase the painting was displayed in the Musée du Luxembourg (1894-1922), then in the Jeu de Paume (1922-1946) and then in the Musée National d'Art Moderne (1946-1980). In 1980 it was assigned to the Louvre and put on display at the Musée d’Orsay. It was also exhibited in 2015 at the Collection Lambert in Avignon. [2]

Description

In the middle of the painting, an oar, somehow catching the light, rests gently on the surface of a body of water. In the bow stands a naked figure with elbows raised and hands wedged behind their head. The pose, as well as complete nudity, suggests absolute tranquility.[4] In the background there is an indication of a shoreline towards which the figure is looking. Below this line lies the darkness of the water; above it a subtle use of colour suggests some kind of shore covered in dense, shaded foliage, or possibly the interior of a huge cave.[4] The surface of the water is faintly tinted red here and there, with brief flashes of a distant twilight.[5] Above the scene a moon rises.[6]

References
  1. "LA SOLITUDE ; OU SOLITUDE". pop.culture.gouv.fr. Ministère de la Culture. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  2. "La Solitude". musee-orsay.fr. Musée d’Orsay. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  3. Jumeau-Lafond, Jean-David. "Marine La Nuit". mbaq.fr. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Quimper. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  4. Gord, Marie. "Au revoir Soleils Noirs". louvrelens.fr. Louvre Lens. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  5. Revue des deux mondes. Paris: Bureau de la Revue des deux mondes. 1893. p. 172. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  6. Beale, S. (1893). American Architect Volumes 39–40. American Architect. p. 296. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
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