Winslow Homer, Summer Night

  Summer Night is one of my favorite American paintings, and to see the original we must go to Paris, for it is part of the permanent collection of the Musie d'Orsay.  It was painted in 1890 by Winslow Homer (1836-) and is an oil on canvas measuring 30" x 40".
  This beautiful image is very similar to the Mark Rothko (see below).  Does that seem strange? The artist's objectives are about the same.  Here two women are dancing on a pier by the sea. Their figures are illuminated by light from behind them, probably a house, but the light does not extend far enough to catch others silhouetted to the lower right.  It is a beautiful night by the sea for the moon is casting its long glow on the waves and water.  If we enlarge the painting, we will notice a small red dot on the right horizon indicating a lighthouse in the distance.
  Homer has created an intimate scene, which includes several anonymous people.  Impossible to delve into this work without feeling the mist, the breeze, the moist warm air.  But just as important is to hear!  It is not quiet, what sounds come rushing at us?  Music that encourages the women to dance, and of course, we can hear the waves as they pound against the rocks of shore.
   The composition of the painting is divided into four almost horizontal stripes, with the bottom and top almost flat planes. The women are posed just to the left of center balanced by the group silhouettes. I believe our center of attention is right in the middle of those two....the sensation of the light on the sea being as great a character in our play as the people. 
  What do you think?  How do you react to this painting?  Do you see the connection to Rothko?
I want to know.  Please respond.
Make Art a part of your day, its a beautiful thing to do.

Comments

  1. charguthSeptember 18, 2019 at 6:51 PM

    Winslow Homer is one of my favorite artists. If you took the two dancing women from the scene it would be very somber indeed. I don't know if this group is waiting for someone or has just seen someone off, or neither. The dancers sure change the mood. Yes, I am amazed at the compositional comparison to Rothko. Homer's palate is limited but the contrast certainly highlights the turbulent water at the rocky shore. Love it. So much to imagine about the figures.

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