High Cliff, Coast of Maine
Winslow Homer, 1894
About this artwork
Winslow Homer, a master of American Realism, captured the raw power of nature in *High Cliff, Coast of* (1894). This oil painting depicts the relentless assault of the ocean on the rugged cliffs at Prout's Neck, one of Homer's favorite coastal haunts in Maine. By the 1890s, Homer had retreated to this isolated spot, immersing himself in scenes of the sea's dramatic forces, which became hallmarks of his late-career work. His robust style emphasized nature's unyielding might, free from sentimentality. In the composition, turbulent waves crash against the sheer rock face, their energy amplified by a tight framing that draws viewers into the fray. Two tiny figures perch high on the cliff's edge at upper right, underscoring human fragility against the elements. Homer's virtuoso brushwork—bold strokes for foaming surf and glistening rocks—conveys motion and peril, inviting us to feel the spray and roar. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum as a gift from William T. Evans, this painting exemplifies Homer's enduring influence on American art, celebrating the sublime beauty and terror of the Maine coast.