Eight Bells

Eight Bells is a celebrated print by Winslow Homer American, 1836-1910, executed in 1887. This powerful etching on ivory parchment captures two sailors navigating a vessel at sea, a recurring theme in the artist's mature output. Following a formative period spent observing maritime life in Cullercoats, England, Homer dedicated much of his practice to depicting the inherent challenges and heroism of life on the ocean. The primary subject matter typically depicts a mariner using a sextant to take a celestial measurement, an essential navigation skill represented here by the figure on the right. This specific edition is a prime example of the high quality of technical prints created during this period of American art.

As an etching, the work demonstrates Homer’s considerable skill in adapting his established watercolor and oil painting compositions into the precise linear language required of the intaglio print medium. Homer often revisited successful themes across different media, making the composition of Eight Bells one of his most recognized works. The dramatic scene balances the immense power of nature, suggested by the turbulent sky and choppy waters, with the stoic determination of the seamen. Created within the United States, this piece is reflective of the late 19th-century artistic interest in the heroic laborer facing unforgiving elements. This important print is part of the extensive collection of American art housed at the Art Institute of Chicago. The technical brilliance of the 1887 print solidified the composition's place in art history, leading to its broad recognition today, with many editions now residing in the public domain.