| Winslow Homer (1836-1910) | ||
| Search for more Winslow Homer in the National Gallery of Art National Museum of American Art Butler Institute of American Art Butler Institute of
American Art LA County Museum of Art (watercolor)
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 Breezing
UpNational Gallery of Art,
Washington, D.C. His first drawing was accepted by Harper's Weekly. His association with this magazine continued for 25 years. Harper's sent Homer to cover Lincoln's inauguration and the Civil War. During the war his illustrations focused on everyday realities rather than rare moments of glory. In 1867 he went to Paris. He was not strongly influenced by French painting, although he did start using more light and atmosphere, as well as freer brush strokes. He was known for 1) careful observation 2) swiftness in recording motion and 3) spare use of line (characteristic of many illustrators). Homer made frequent trips to the Caribbean, and the power and drama of the sea became his favorite theme. Gulf Stream is one of his best-known works; "..... the unfortunate Negro who is now so dazed and parboiled will be rescued and return to his friends and home and ever after live happily." Homer became increasingly more selective. "Never paint more than two waves in a picture, it's fussy." Homer simplified, eliminated and concentrated on large forms and movements. When Homer started doing watercolors at age 37 he gave credibility to this medium. Until then, watercolor painting was usually done by ladies who drew the picture first with a pencil and then filled in with the paint. In his last years, Homer was recognized as America's foremost painter, although his works did not bring the prices of those of Sargent.
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If you
were on the ocean in a small boat, you would wish you were back Homer.