Driftwood, Winslow Homer

  Maybe it's because I live in the middle of our country, but I have always been drawn to images of the sea.   And, no one is better at it than American painter, Winslow Homer (1836-1910).  Homer, during his mature, later period, was a master at providing great meaning and depth to his images.  Driftwood was his last work, completed in 1909, and illustrates his favorite, late theme, man against the elements of nature.
  The painting is an oil, measures 24" x 28" and is part of the collection of the Museum of Fine Art, Boston.
    In the lower right foreground is a man attempting to retrieve a large tree trunk from the sea.  The effort seems almost futile as nature seems out of control.  The man is small in relation to the wood and the vastness of the sea and foam.  Can you hear the wind and the crashing waves?  And, look to the upper right corner,  a white bird flying.
Is he going away or coming in?   Driftwood is very powerful and Homer has allowed us to feel the struggle and take our own meaning from it.   Is it hopeful, or distressing?  You decide, you can't be wrong either way.  
  Make Art a part of your day, it's a beautiful thing to do.

Comments

  1. charguthMarch 18, 2020 at 8:54 AM

    Homer is one of my favorite artists! And I love water, so this seems hopeful to me, and I think this man feels the same in his quest to control a bit of nature. It's an opportunity to salvage something useful, and I imagine within the skills of his livelihood. A little speck of land in the upper left suggests the horizon. He paints water with such power and strength with color contrasts. The single bird just makes the man seem less isolated. I would like to stand on shore and watch him succeed!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Art Expert On LineMarch 18, 2020 at 9:53 AM

    YES, couldn't agree more!

    ReplyDelete

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