The Coast and the Sea: Marine and Maritime Art in America

Thomas Birch (1779-1851, American), New York Harbor, 1831. Oil on canvas. New-York Historical Society, Gift of Mrs. Ethel McCullough Scott, John G. McCullough, and Mrs. Edith McCullough Heaphy, 1971.118

Opens March 14, 2026

The Coast and the Sea: Marine and Maritime Art in America is a traveling exhibition organized by the New York Historical Society featuring 49 paintings and 10 maritime objects from their immense collection relating the story of early American culture and history. The exhibition is organized into several chronological themes exploring America’s relationship with water. Paintings dating from 1750 to 1904 include seascapes, ship portraits, harbors, storms, naval battles, shipwrecks, as well scenes of leisure and portraits of historic people along with personal possessions such as navigational instruments, scrimshaw, medals, and snuffboxes. Many of America’s most prominent marine and portrait artists, including Thomas Birch, Thomas Buttersworth, Jasper Francis Cropsey, John Frderick Kensett, Edward Moran, Rembrandt Peale, Howard Pyle and Francis Augustus Silva are represented in the exhibit. 

This exhibition has been organized by the New-York Historical.

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Support Comes From

MMAM acknowledges sustaining support from generous contributions from foundations, corporations, individuals, members and volunteers, including ongoing support from our Board of Directors, the Elizabeth Callender King Foundation, and the Morgan Family Foundation.

Presenting Partner: New-York Historical Society

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.