The artwork “Marine Terrace with initials” was created by Victor Hugo in 1855. It belongs to the Symbolism art movement and falls under the figurative genre.
The artwork portrays a dramatic and somewhat surrealist scene. Dominating the composition is a large, intricate, and twisting shape that resembles an enormous, coiled creature or abstract form devoid of clear definition. This central figure seems to hover ominously over a coastal landscape, which features a terrace with architectural structures. The lower portion of the artwork, inscribed with the words “Marine Terrace,” identifies the setting while giving further context to the unsettling and dreamlike nature of the scene. The contrasting elements between the complex, almost otherworldly entity and the serene yet isolated seascape evoke a sense of mystery and introspection, embodying the principles of the Symbolism movement.
