Irish West Coast Near Dingle

Thomason spent the summer of 1929 traveling the west coast of Ireland—the most remote, scenic, and impoverished part of the country. Several factors spurred the trip: a chance to explore his Irish roots; the receipt of $625 back pay from the Navy; and the paintings of Robert Henri, an influential member of the Ashcan School.

This boldly painted view near Dingle captures the rugged shoreline and the variable nature of Irish weather. A tempestuous sky hovers over a rocky coastline; a humble cottage and a sailboat are the only signs of humanity. Powerful brushstrokes define the foreground with hints of intense greens, maroon, and yellow, and add to the picture’s overall sense of loneliness and isolation.