Winslow Homer ( )  American painter best remembered for landscapes, many showing scenes of the sea, boats, and coastlines.

. ABOUT THE ARTIST…  At age eighteen, Winslow Homer began his career in his hometown of Boston, illustrating novels, sheet music, magazines, and children’s books.  He then moved to New York City, where he worked as an illustrator with Harper’s Weekly, a popular Magazine.  He also began painting at this time.

.  When Abraham Lincoln became the sixteenth president in 1861, Winslow Homer was in attendance and created this artwork for Harper's Weekly magazine.  It shows Lincoln delivering his remarks on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. President Abraham Lincoln’s Inauguration 1861

. News from the War Harper’s Weekly  Later, when the Civil War broke out, Winslow Homer was sent to the battlefront as an artist-correspondent for Harper’s.  Below is a famous Winslow Homer drawing showing various scenes of the Civil war.

.  After the war, he settled in Maine.  During his career, Homer mastered both oil and watercolor painting.  Favorite subjects: outdoor scenes of children playing and farmers and fishermen working. The Dinnerhorn (Blowing the Horn at Seaside)

.  In his painting Snap the Whip, Winslow Homer shows what life was like in In this painting, the children are taking a break from their classes in the little red schoolhouse. Snap the Whip

. INTO NATURE…  Winslow Homer traveled widely—to New York, Virginia, Canada, Bermuda, Florida, the Caribbean, and the east coast of the United States.  During these working trips, Homer preferred to paint with watercolors because they were easy to carry around, allowing him to work outdoors.  Painting in nature, Homer could closely observe each place. With quick brush strokes, he could capture crashing waves, changing light, and moving animals. QUESTION : can you see the difference in the two following paintings?

. Breezing Up (A Fair Wind)

. Gulf Stream (oil on canvas)

. Incoming Tide

. WOODS AND WATER…  The Adirondack Mountains and Florida were two places that Homer particularly enjoyed visiting. He recorded in watercolor the activities and environment that were specific to each place.

. Adirondacks (New York)  In the Adirondacks, Homer painted the forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers, showing such activities as fishing and hiking. The Guide

. The Trapper

. Florida…  In Florida, Homer painted fishermen, schooners in Key West Harbor, women under palm trees, exotic birds, alligators, and swamps. Key West, Hauling Anchor

. Bahamas…  In 1884 Century Magazine asked Homer to illustrate an article about the Bahamas. During his stay on the tropical island, he painted more than thirty watercolors of a variety of subjects. “ I think the Bahamas the best place I have ever found.”- Winslow Homer

. Native Huts (Bahamas)

.  Homer continued painting late in life, and focused on seascapes absent of human figures, mostly of waves crashing against rocks in varying light. Sunlight on the Coast

. West Point, Prout's Neck, Maine

. In conclusion…  During his lifetime, Winslow Homer completed 481 paintings. It has been said that he was a straightforward and direct observer of the American scene. It also was said that he involved the viewer (YOU!) in the real experience of the moment. He has been called the greatest American artist. One thing is certain, we know his artwork strongly influenced generations of American painters.