Breaking Storm, Coast of Maine
1894
Medium
Transparent watercolor, with touches of opaque watercolor, rewetting, blotting and traces of scraping, on thick, rough-textured, ivory wove paper
Dimensions
38.4 × 54.6 cm (15 1/8 × 21 1/2 in.)
Classification
watercolor
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
16779
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Breaking Storm, Coast of Maine is a study of bands of juxtaposed color constructed along a strong horizon line, emphasized by a thick, dark line. Despite Homer’s indication of impending bad weather moving in from the horizon, this watercolor focuses on a moment of calm before the storm. The water’s turquoise surface is smooth and tranquil, achieved by pure, transparent washes. The artist’s loose, abstract handling of the rugged shore in the foreground calls attention to the sheer beauty of his b...
Art Historical Context
Winslow Homer's *Breaking Storm, Coast of* (1894) captures the raw power of nature along the rugged New England coastline, a recurring theme in the artist's late career. By this time, Homer had retreated to his Prouts Neck studio in Maine, where he immersed himself in depicting dramatic seascapes that reflected America's growing fascination with the sublime wilderness. This watercolor, housed in the Art Institute of's Prints and Drawings Department, measures 38.4 × 54.6 cm and Homer's shift from Civil War illustrations to masterful portrayals of elemental forces. Homer's innovative use of transparent watercolor, enhanced with opaque touches, rewetting, blotting, and scraping on thick, rough-textured ivory wove paper, creates a sense of immediacy and luminosity. These techniques allow light to pierce through turbulent waves and brooding skies, evoking the storm's fleeting break with vivid realism. As a leader in American Realism, Homer elevated watercolor from sketch medium to high art, rivaling oil paintings in emotional depth. This work highlights Homer's enduring legacy: his ability to humanize nature's indifference, inviting viewers to ponder humanity's place amid untamed beauty. A must-see for fans of maritime art, it showcases why Homer remains a cornerstone of American painting.
About the Artist
Winslow Homer · 1836–1910
Winslow Homer (1836-1910) was one of America's greatest painters and a preeminent figure in 19th-century American art. Largely self-taught, Homer began his career as a commercial illustrator and Civil War correspondent for Harper's Weekly before becoming renowned for his powerful marine subjects and landscape paintings. His mastery of both oil and watercolor, combined with his uncompromising reali...