The Return, Tynemouth (recto) Study (verso) by Winslow Homer American, 1836-1910, executed in 1881, is a significant watercolor dating from the artist's formative two-year residency in Cullercoats, an English fishing village near Tynemouth. This period marked a profound shift in Homer’s output, moving away from illustrative works toward monumental portrayals of maritime life and the intense relationship between coastal communities and the sea. The recto features figures, likely local fisherwomen, posed waiting, reflecting the uncertainty and resilience inherent in their lives.
Homer achieved the dramatic atmosphere of this piece through sophisticated watercolor techniques, utilizing transparent pigment layered over initial graphite work. The medium consists of watercolor on moderately thick, ivory wove paper, upon which the artist incorporated various textural manipulations. These included strategic touches of opaque watercolor, rewetting, blotting, and scraping to capture the harshness of the weather and the texture of the clothing. The entire effect is heightened with a careful application of gum glaze, showcasing Homer’s mastery of light and shadow, which rivals his later oil paintings.
Although created in England, this work remains crucial to the legacy of art from the United States. Homer (1836-1910) brought the profound realism and psychological depth developed during this sojourn back to America, informing his subsequent career in Prout’s Neck, Maine. This masterful study is part of the distinguished American collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. As a landmark piece of American realism, the original painting, and high-quality prints derived from public domain resources, continue to serve as vital references for scholars and enthusiasts.
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