Artist at a Glance Arianna Howard February 19, st Period

Introduction Name: Winslow Homer Birth Date: February 24, 1836 Death Date: September 29, 1910 Country United States

Family and Childhood Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1836, Homer was the second of three sons of Charles Savage Homer and Henrietta Benson Homer. Boston, Massachusetts Homer had a happy childhood, growing up mostly in then rural Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cambridge, Massachusetts His mother was a gifted amateur watercolorist and Homer's first teacher. She and her son had a close relationship throughout their lives. Homer took on many of her traits, including her quiet, strong- willed, terse, sociable nature; her dry sense of humor; and her artistic talent. Homer's father was a volatile, restless businessman who was always looking to "make a killing". Charles gave up the hardware store business to seek a fortune in the California gold rush. When that failed, Charles left his family and went to Europe to raise capital for other get-rich-quick schemes that didn't materialize. California gold rush At the age of 19, Homer’s father arranged for him to be an apprentice at a Boston commercial lithographer. lithographer

More Family Information Homer's career as an illustrator lasted nearly twenty years. His early works, mostly commercial engravings of urban and country social scenes, are characterized by clean outlines, simplified forms, dramatic contrast of light and dark, and lively figure groupings — qualities that remained important throughout his career. His quick success was mostly due to this strong understanding of graphic design and also to the adaptability of his designs to wood engraving. illustrator Before moving to New York in 1859, Homer lived in Belmont, Massachusetts with his family in his uncle's Belmont mansion, the 1853 Homer House Homer House Later in life, Homer lived alone, doing most of his own cooking and housework.

First of Ten Works Name The Bridle Path, 1868 Medium Oil Painting Located in Clark Art Institute

Education Background Information In 1859, he opened a studio in the Tenth Street Studio Building in New York City, the artistic and publishing capital of the United States. Tenth Street Studio Building New York City Until 1863, he attended classes at the National Academy of Design, and studied briefly with Frédéric Rondel, who taught him the basics of painting. National Academy of Design In only about a year of self-training, Homer was producing excellent oil work.

Second of Ten Works Name Song of the Lark, 1876 Medium Oil on Canvas Located in Chrysler Museum of Art

Movement Movement: Realism An accurate representation of lifeforms and perspective that attempts to represent a subject truthfully. Homer was an illustrator, painter, and printmaker. Homer focused on The American Civil War, Urban Scenes, Childhood and Young Women, and Postwar images.

Third of Ten Works Name Crossing the Pasture, Medium Oil on Canvas Located in Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Inspiration and Encouragement Who influenced Homer? Homer’s mother was the first to nurture his talents as his first teacher. Homer was also influenced by the works of French artists Edouard Manet and Gustave Courbet. What inspired Homer? There was never any documented inspiration for Homer. Did Homer inspire others? American illustrator and teacher Howard Pyle revered Homer and encouraged his students to study him. Howard Pyle Did Homer affect culture? His works strongly influenced succeeding generations of American painters for their direct and energetic interpretation of man's stoic relationship to an often neutral and sometimes harsh wilderness.

Fourth of Ten Works Name A Visit from the Old Mistress, 1876 Medium Oil on Canvas Location Smithsonian American Art Museum

Struggles and Successes Homer’s paintings were praised at a young age and as he continued his art he grew more famous. Homer’s paintings were being sold and displayed while he was living. Instead of colleagues and friends, Homer prefered a life of solitude.

Name Prisoners from the Front Medium Oil Paint Location Metropolitan Museum of Art Fifth of Ten Works

Facts His illustrations of the 1860’s and 1870’s were notable for their realism, strong draftsmanship, and fine design. Homer’s works of arts were ranked among the best graphic art of their time in America.

Sixth of Ten Works Name Breezing Up (A Fair Wind), 1876 Medium Oil on Canvas Location National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Accomplishments and Quotes Homer’s work of art “Boys in a Pasture” was featured on a 44-cent commemorative stamp at the APS Stamp Show in Richmond, Virginia. “What they call talent is nothing but the capacity for doing continuous work in the right way.”

Seventh of Ten Works Name The Fox Hunt Medium Oil on Canvas Location Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

After Death Death September 29, 1910 at the age of 74. Many museums feature his artwork. Some museums include The Smithsonian American Art Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art,and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Eighth of Ten Works Name Three Fisher Girls, 1881 Medium Watercolor on Paper Location National Gallery of Art

Ninth of Ten Works Name Shepherdess Tending Sheep Medium Watercolor over Graphite Location Brooklyn Museum: American Art

Tenth of Ten Works Name Bo-Peep Medium Opaque watercolor over Graphite Pencil on Paper Location Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Conclusion Winslow Homer is considered one of the foremost painters in 19-century America and a preeminent figure in American Art. Homer is also regarded by many as the greatest American painter of the nineteenth century.