When first shown, the luminous, shimmering effects amid Le Gray’s otherwise dark seascapes were often mistaken for moonlight. It is easy to see why this misconception arose, in these monochrome images where darkness encroaches towards the edges of the scene. In fact, he achieved the moonlight effect by pointing the camera in the direction of the sun during daylight.

Absent from this scene are the boats, heavy waves or any sign of humanity. The viewer is left in confrontation with the sea and potentially threatening clouds.