Winslow Homer: The Greatest Pictorial Poet of Outdoor Life
Winslow Homer grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he spent manyhours outdoors. His early experiences caused him to develop a love for thecountry, which can be seen in many of his works. In fact, it is said thatHomer is "considered to be the greatest pictorial poet of outdoor life inthe USA and its greatest watercolourist" (Gale). Homer was a self-taught artist whose experience with art began as an
Homer became anillustrator for Harper's Weekly and moved to New York in 1859. During thistime, he sold few paintings. Most of his paintingsduring this time emphasize man's struggle with nature, which was a concernfor Homer for his entire life. In 1866, Homertraveled to Europe where Jean-FranASois Millet influenced his work. During this time, he developed a "feeling fordraughtsmanship and for composing in clear patterns of dark andlight"(Gale). Inaddition, he drew illustrations for such authors as William Cullen Bryant,Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Lord Tennyson. His turned his focus to watercolor painting,which received just as praise as it did criticism. When he was 19 years old, he became an apprentice at J. He did so and his artworkappeared in Ballou's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion. Following the Civil War, Homer turned his attention to oil painting. Over time, he becamemore accomplished and respected for his works.
Common topics in this essay:
Jean-FranASois Millet,
Cambridge Massachusetts,
Bufford Boston,
War Homer,
Gale Homer,
Harper's Weekly,
Companion Homer,
Winslow Homer,
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