At Sea, Signalling a Passing Steamer

1871

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Marine

Dominant colour

At Sea, Signalling a Passing Steamer is a 1871 by Winslow Homer, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Winslow Homer
When & what style?: 1871 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This painting depicts a dramatic scene at sea, with a large ship in the foreground and a smaller vessel in the distance. The ship is shown in profile, with its hull and rigging prominent. In the background, the smaller vessel is visible, with a plume of smoke rising from its funnel. The painting is rendered in a realistic style, with attention to detail and texture. The brushstrokes are bold and expressive, conveying a sense of energy and movement. The color palette is muted, with shades of blue and gray dominating the scene. The painting's focus on the interaction between the two vessels creates a sense of tension and drama. To learn more about the artist's use of light and shadow, explore the technique of chiaroscuro.