Artist Criticism of Breezing Up By: Sarah Brown

Painting information Date: 1836-1910 Artist: Winslow Homer Title: Breezing Up (A Fair Wind) Movement: Realism

Description The title suggests that the painting depicts a scene that has a heavy breeze.(The choppy currents contribute themselves as evidence.) At first, one would suggest that the painting has an overall sad mood.  After looking at the piece longer, you can see hope  and longing in the sons faces . (The father shows determination as he is the protector of his children and is trying to get them somewhere.) Winslow homer does not use very strong or prominent lines but rather fluid or organic lines (not including the boats). Many of the shapes are organic (ex: water, faces, etc.), but there are a few geometric shapes including those depicted on the boats. The main colors within this piece are hues of blues, browns, oranges, and white.  In its entirety, the painting has a seemingly smooth texture due to the short brush strokes and placement of darker colors. There is quite a bit of positive space in this painting but they are with met with an almost-equal amount of negative spaces. Homer used oil paint and the realistic painting technique. 

Analysis The focal point of this painting is the boat in the foreground . This  part of the painting catches the eye the quickest due to its size and prominence compared to everything in the painting. (The father and his sons only add more attention to the boat.) There is a special balance among the elements, because not everything is to close to each other, thus giving a mood of loneliness. The proportion in this painting is unusual because one boat is a lot bigger than the other and the people on it appear larger because the other boat is in the distance. No elements are repeated to make a pattern. The eye  travels up the boat from the mast, then to the sky and back to the sea (clockwise motion). The clouds create unity among the elements because they take up a lot of space in the painting, touch every element and tie everything together. The clouds and water add variety because their shape differs from everything else in the painting along with the diversity of colors.

Interpretation There is a great deal of symbolism, most of it is in the faces of the children and their father. Expressions of hope and longing are evident on their faces as they float on to their destination. The overall feeling that the painting gives me is a tone of seriousness with deep- rooted longing for something. While looking at this painting, I was reminded of the times when I have been on backpacking trips. Just like the father in the painting, I was determined to reach my destination, also known as my campsite. Most believe, including myself, think that the painting relates to the great migration of people to America's shores. Some believe that the painting represents the American Spirit itself, seeing as America is the "Melting Pot" and we are only as strong as we are because of all of the immigrants from our past and present.

Judgement The painting is a success because I feel that it depicts the American Spirit and humanity itself. The painting is strong and has a deep meaning making that much more admirable. Other paintings like this come from the realism movement. Some examples from this movement include Young Ladies Of the Village and Stonebreakers, both paintings by Gustave Courbet. I feel that this painting is not particularly unique concerning the style but the meaning behind it elevates it's status among the other realism paintings. If I were Homer, I would have used slightly brighter colors and defined the son's and father's faces along with the entirety of the boat.

Thank you