Masts of Ship with United States Flag
October 17, 1897
Medium
seascapes
Classification
seascapes
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Savage Homer, Jr.
Accession Number
1912-12-252
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Winslow Homer, one of America’s most celebrated 19th-century artists, created this evocative seascape on October 17, 1897. Known for his powerful depictions of the ocean and maritime life, Homer turned increasingly to marine subjects in his later years, capturing the drama of wind, water, and human endeavor with remarkable directness. The composition centers on the tall masts of a ship proudly flying the Stars and Stripes, a motif that underscores both the grandeur of the sea and a sense of national identity. Painted during a period when Homer lived on the coast of Maine, the work reflects hi...