The Piece

Mid-20th Century Coastal Seascape Oil Painting, Signed “McLaughlin”
Oil on canvas, framed

An original mid-20th century oil painting depicting a rocky coastal seascape, signed McLaughlin in the lower right. The composition captures waves breaking against exposed rock formations beneath a shifting sky, rendered with expressive brushwork and areas of textured impasto that emphasize movement and atmosphere.

The painter balances structure and motion, using the rocks as anchors while allowing the sea and sky to dissolve into looser, more gestural strokes. The palette is restrained and natural—blues, greens, and earth tones punctuated by white surf—giving the work a grounded, timeless presence.

Context

During the mid-20th century, many painters working outside academic or institutional systems turned to landscape and seascape subjects as vehicles for expression rather than documentation. Coastal scenes, in particular, allowed artists to explore rhythm, light, and physical force without reliance on strict realism.

This painting reflects that approach. It prioritizes experience over exact geography, capturing the sensation of the shoreline rather than a specific place. Works of this type were often produced for regional exhibition, private collectors, or studio practice, and many remain known only through the signature on the canvas itself.

Artist

The painting is signed McLaughlin. No further biographical information is documented from the object alone, and the artist is not currently identified in major art registries. Attribution is based solely on the original signature present in the paint layer.

Materials & Presentation

• Oil on canvas

• Expressive brushwork with textured impasto

• Period gilt wood frame

• Framed for display in a manner consistent with mid-20th century presentation

The frame complements the work without overpowering it, reinforcing its period character.

Details

• Date: Circa mid-20th century

• Medium: Oil on canvas

• Subject: Coastal seascape with rocks and surf

• Signature: Signed “McLaughlin” (lower right)

• Frame: Gilt wood, period-appropriate

Condition

Very good vintage condition.

The canvas remains stable, with the paint layer intact and no significant losses observed. Surface wear and frame wear are consistent with age and studio display. No restoration has been undertaken or is recommended.

Why It Belongs in Your Home

This painting introduces movement without excess.

It works as a grounding visual element, adding texture and depth without dominating a space. The subject is universally resonant, and the execution avoids sentimentality, allowing it to sit comfortably alongside both antique and contemporary furnishings.

Placed in a living space, study, or hallway, it provides rhythm and presence while remaining quietly self-assured.

From Viridian Eclection

Viridian Eclection curates works defined by material honesty and lived process. This signed mid-century seascape reflects an artist’s direct engagement with the landscape—preserved with restraint and presented without embellishment.