Lecture Notes: Winslow Homer - Painter of the Sea

Introduction

• Homer is recognized as one of the greatest painters of the sea.
• Uses minimal elements:
  • Rocky shore of Maine
  • Crashing surf
  • Sky
• Transforms these elements into representations of nature's power.

The Painting's Journey

• Original completion in 1895.
• Initially sold to a collector and photographed.
• Around 1900, Homer reclaimed the painting.
  • Removed two men from the rocks who added a narrative aspect.

Artistic Techniques & Elements

• Despite its simplicity, the painting is rich in detail:
  • The sea: not just aquamarine, includes ochres, dark yellows.
  • Sky: purples and mauves.
  • Spray: whites, grays, blues, lavenders.
  • Rocks: oranges and golds.
• Utilizes:
  • Long streaks of paint with visible brush marks.
  • Curlicues and impastos creating texture.
• The plume of surf is depicted as a living form.

Evolution of Style

• Homer's style suggests a transition towards a twentieth-century art approach.
• Focus shifts from human struggle against nature to nature itself - the sea, coast, and sky.

Universal Appeal

• The painting resonates universally, irrespective of time or place.
• The sea symbolizes a mysterious, powerful realm.
• Homer's unmatched ability to convey awe towards the sea's inscrutable forces.