Winslow Homer

Winslow Homer (1836–1910) was an American painter and illustrator celebrated for his powerful marine scenes, rugged landscapes, and depictions of everyday life. Known for his mastery of watercolor and oil, Homer captured the drama of the sea, the resilience of fishermen, and the quiet beauty of rural America with bold composition and a deep sensitivity to light and atmosphere. His later works, often painted along the coast of Maine, reflected a raw, untamed view of nature that set him apart as one of America’s greatest realist painters. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Homer began his career as a commercial illustrator before serving as a Civil War artist-correspondent for Harper’s Weekly. He never married, preferring a private life dedicated to art, travel, and nature. Homer spent his final decades in Prouts Neck, Maine, where he created some of his most iconic works until his death in 1910.