Natural Bridge, Bermuda by Winslow Homer, artwork, 1898-1901

Natural Bridge, Bermuda

Winslow Homer

Year
1898-1901
Medium
Watercolor and graphite on white wove paper
Dimensions
14 7/16 x 21 in. (36.7 x 53.3 cm)
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art

About This Artwork

Natural Bridge, Bermuda is a dynamic watercolor created by Winslow Homer between 1898 and 1901. This late-career work utilizes watercolor and graphite on white wove paper, showcasing the artist’s celebrated mastery of the medium. Homer, one of the most significant painters in the United States, frequently sought inspiration in the powerful Atlantic Oceans, traveling regularly to the warmer climates of Bermuda and the Caribbean during the final decades of his life.

The piece depicts a dramatic geological formation carved out of the limestone by persistent wave action. Homer captured the brilliant turquoise and indigo hues of the water surrounding the island, contrasting the transparency and movement of the sea with the solid, eroded natural architecture. The execution of Natural Bridge, Bermuda demonstrates the immediacy afforded by the watercolor medium, allowing Homer to rapidly record the ephemeral effects of sunlight and rushing water without the heavy requirements of oil paint.

This depiction of the untamed natural environment reflects Homer’s dedication to marine subjects, a persistent theme in American art during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The work resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it serves as a prime example of the artist’s late style. Because of its prominence and age, high-quality prints of this artwork are often available, sometimes sourced from images that have entered the public domain.

Cultural & Historical Context

Culture
United States

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