OfDaysGoneBy Robert Lyn Nelson

The composition presents a framed vista, creating a layered effect that invites contemplation on themes of memory, time, and the relationship between interiority and exteriority. The outer frame is constructed from what appears to be aged wood, suggesting a sense of history and enclosure. Within this frame lies a painted scene depicting a seascape – a turbulent ocean punctuated by the presence of breaching whales, a distant shoreline, and an overcast sky.
The foreground within the frame is occupied by a still life arrangement on a dark wooden surface. A collection of objects are meticulously placed: a kerosene lamp emitting a warm glow, a partially consumed bottle, a stack of books with visible titles (though illegible in detail), a pipe resting upon a book, and various shells scattered amongst the items. An hourglass stands prominently near the center, its sand visibly flowing, serving as a direct symbol of the passage of time. A small statuette, possibly depicting a marine creature or mythological figure, is also present.
The interplay between light and shadow is significant. The lamp’s illumination casts a warm glow on the still life objects, contrasting with the cooler tones of the seascape beyond. This contrast reinforces the separation between the tangible world of possessions and the vastness of nature.
Subtextually, the painting seems to explore the human tendency to memorialize moments through collected artifacts. The books likely represent knowledge or stories from a past era, while the pipe suggests contemplation and perhaps a longing for simpler times. The shells evoke a connection to the ocean – a realm of both beauty and potential danger. The whales breaching in the distance could symbolize freedom, power, or an escape from confinement.
The hourglass is particularly potent; it isnt merely decorative but actively signifies the relentless march of time and the ephemeral nature of existence. The entire arrangement suggests a melancholic reflection on days gone by – a yearning for what has been lost or altered by the passage of years. The framing device itself reinforces this sense of distance, as if the viewer is observing a memory from afar, separated by the boundaries of time and experience.