ticketsMember | Make a donation

A Shipwreck in a Storm

1782
Not on view
This pastel, large in scale for Pillement, persuasively suggests the dark, threatening, moisture-laden atmosphere of the storm. The sky occupies an exceptionally large part of the picture, and the artist strictly limited the use of the blues and greens that are typical of his palette to achieve a monochromatic effect. The spectators bear witness to the risk to life, as many who were on board the ship are presumably overcome by the elements. The date appears to be 1782, though 1792 is also possible.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: A Shipwreck in a Storm
  • Artist: Jean Pillement (French, Lyons 1728–1808 Lyons)
  • Date: 1782
  • Medium: Pastel on gessoed canvas
  • Dimensions: 24 3/4 x 36 in. (62.9 x 91.4 cm)
  • Classification: Pastels & Oil Sketches on Paper
  • Credit Line: Gift of Martin Birnbaum, 1956
  • Object Number: 56.7
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Design for Fantasy Branches of Flowers, Jean Pillement French, Red and black chalk
Design for Fantasy Branches of Flowers
Jean Pillement
n.d.
Flowers, Jean Pillement French, Oil on brown paper
Flowers
Jean Pillement
n.d.
Chinoiserie, Jean Pillement French, Black chalk with stumping, and graphite with a faint gray wash
Chinoiserie
Jean Pillement
Piece, Jean Pillement French, Silk and metal thread, French
Piece
Jean Pillement
second half 18th century
Plate, from "Recueil De Nouvelles Fleurs De Goût; Pour La Manufacture des Etoffes de Perse"
Jean Pillement
Carl Ernst Christoph Hess
1770

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.