Breaking Storm, Coast of Maine by Winslow Homer American, 1836-1910, painted in 1894, is a signature example of the dramatic marine subjects that defined the artist's late career. Working from his remote studio at Prouts Neck, Maine, Homer dedicated himself to capturing the dynamic and often brutal relationship between the sea and the rocky shoreline of the United States.
Although categorized broadly as a painting, the work demonstrates Homer’s advanced mastery of watercolor, utilizing a complex blend of techniques on thick, rough-textured, ivory wove paper. The artist expertly manipulated transparent watercolor for the vast washes of sky and sea, contrasting them with touches of opaque watercolor to define foam and light striking the cresting waves. The tactile nature of the storm is further enhanced through meticulous processes such as rewetting, blotting, and traces of scraping, which give the water an almost sculptural quality and convey the blinding spray and turbulence of the weather event.
This piece stands as a powerful testament to Homer’s technical innovation and his profound connection to the elemental power of the environment. The painting, recognized globally for its intensity and skill, is an essential element of the American collection housed at the Art Institute of Chicago. The lasting impact of this work ensures that high-quality archival prints and digital images are widely accessible through public domain collections, reinforcing Homer’s legacy as a cornerstone of 19th-century American art.
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