Artwork

Perils of the Sea

Perils of the Sea, by Winslow Homer, 1888
Perils of the Sea, by Winslow Homer, 1888

Perils of the Sea is a print by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Perils of the Sea is a print created by Winslow Homer in 1888. It depicts a dramatic scene of women braving a stormy coastline.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows women walking along a rocky shore, accompanied by other figures huddled on the rocks, with a small wooden house on a cliff behind them. The scene conveys a sense of resilience in the face of a turbulent sea and stormy weather.

Technique & Style

Homer employed rough, textured lines to capture the movement of the figures' clothing in the wind. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that exploits the contrast between light and dark, helps to create a dramatic effect and makes the figures stand out against the turbulent background.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Winslow Homer

Artist

Winslow Homer

Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and illustrator, best known for his marine subjects.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.