Stormy Sea. Buoy without Top Mark Johan August Strindberg (1849-1912)

The composition presents a stark and unsettling scene dominated by a turbulent expanse of water. A solitary buoy, devoid of any identifying mark at its apex, rises from this chaotic surface, acting as a vertical anchor within the swirling mass. The palette is restricted primarily to shades of grey, blue-grey, and black, contributing to an atmosphere of profound melancholy and foreboding.
The artist employed a vigorous impasto technique; thick layers of paint are applied with visible brushstrokes that convey the relentless motion of the sea. These strokes do not merely suggest waves but actively embody their force, creating a palpable sense of instability. The water’s surface is rendered as a complex interplay of light and shadow, hinting at unseen depths and potential dangers lurking beneath.
The buoy itself stands in sharp contrast to the surrounding turmoil. Its pale color draws the eye upward, yet its lack of a top mark – a navigational indicator – suggests isolation and disorientation. It becomes a symbol not of guidance but of abandonment or perhaps even vulnerability. The dark void at the bottom of the canvas further emphasizes this sense of loneliness; it is an impenetrable darkness that seems to swallow any hope of respite.
Subtly, the painting evokes themes of human insignificance in the face of nature’s power. The buoy, a man-made object intended for control and safety, appears helpless against the overwhelming forces at play. It might also be interpreted as a meditation on loss or uncertainty – the absence of a marker representing a lack of direction or purpose. The overall effect is one of quiet drama, leaving the viewer to contemplate the precariousness of existence within an indifferent universe.