“You will see, in the future, I will live by my watercolors.” This is what Winslow Homer (1836 – 1910) had said to one of his dealers once. Back then Homer wasn’t well known. In the years to come, however, his words came true and the American artist went on to become one of the greatest maritime painters of all time.
The self-taught artist was famous for his idyllic and poignant depictions of the waterfront and the countryside that connect with people even today. Homer began a series of watercolors in 1881 based on his experiences of staying in the seaside fishing village of Cullercoats, England, for a couple of years. One of the standout features of Homer’s works was simplicity. He would often focus on the old ways and depict scenes from the daily lives of common folk with great modesty. His colors were never glaring or too bright; rather, they were always soft and soothing.
Many of Homer’s paintings featured quiet scenes of kids and women going about their everyday tasks or men at sea. While his dramatic waterfront paintings found him plenty of praise, it was his watercolor works with noble simplicity in them – a woman feeding chickens on a farm, boys fishing in a pond, or men relaxing in a field on a sunny day – that really stood out and established him as one of the finest artists of the medium.
Here, we will take a closer look at Winslow Homer’s artistry through some of his best watercolor paintings and artworks. These are so charming that they are sure to soothe your heart.
1. "West Point, Prout's Neck" (1900)
2. "West Wind" (1891)
3. "Breezing Up (A Fair Wind)" (1873 - 1876)
4. "Sunlight on the Coast" (1890)
5. "Eight Bells" (1886)
6. "Right and Left" (1909)
7. "The Gulf Stream" (1899)
8. "Croquet Players" (1865)
9. "Long Branch, New Jersey" (1869)
10. "Artists Sketching in the White Mountains" (1868)
11. "Fishing" (1878)
12. "A huntsman and dogs" (1891)
13. "Orange trees and gate" (1895)
14. "Waterfall in the Adirondacks" (1889)
15. "Mount Washington" (1869)
16. "Farmyard Scene" (circa 1872-74)
17. "The Whittling Boy" (1873)
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