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The Toilers of the Sea

ca. 1880–85
Not on view
Raised in the whaling port of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Ryder continued to be drawn to marine subjects after his 1870 move to New York City. A sea-captain friend once observed that the artist would study the moon on the Hudson River to capture "moonlight effects." In addition to working from nature, Ryder was also inspired by literature. This painting may relate to Victor Hugo’s 1866 novel of the same name. Ryder’s technique of applying pigment in thick layers has altered the surface over time, but this gemlike work still conveys the artist’s haunting vision.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Toilers of the Sea
  • Artist: Albert Pinkham Ryder (American, New Bedford, Massachusetts 1847–1917 Elmhurst, New York)
  • Date: ca. 1880–85
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Oil on wood
  • Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 12 in. (29.2 x 30.5 cm)
  • Credit Line: George A. Hearn Fund, 1915
  • Object Number: 15.32
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

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Pasture at Evening, Albert Pinkham Ryder American, Oil on canvas, American
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Former Attribution Formerly attributed to Albert Pinkham Ryder
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Vase with cornstalks
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The Backgammon Players, Philip Webb British, Painted pine, oil paint on leather, brass, copper, British
The Backgammon Players
Designer Philip Webb
Manufacturer Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co.
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1861
Under a Cloud, Albert Pinkham Ryder American, Oil on canvas, American
Under a Cloud
Albert Pinkham Ryder
ca. 1900
"Wells Fargo" Colt Revolver, Steel, silver, wood (mahogany), American
"Wells Fargo" Colt Revolver
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