The Visit: On April 24th, while visiting the Portland Museum of Art, I came across an exhibit dedicated to the life and work of Winslow Homer. The Portland Museum of Art sits proudly at Congress Square and is home to a large variety of paintings, sculptures, and other forms of artwork. The Winslow Homer exhibit not only displays some of his art, but also a diagram of his studio and his original watercolor paint box. Many of his paintings depict the romance of Maine's great outdoors and in turn he has become one of Maine's most famous artists.
Historical Significance:Winslow Homer was born on February 24, 1836 in Boston, Massachusetts to a long line of New Englanders. He gained his artistic talents from his mother and opened his first studio in 1859. He traveled all over America and spent two years in England before moving to Prouts Neck, Maine in 1883. During this time he painted the sea scenes that we most famously remember him for.These paintings, along with others, became widely known when Maine began to market itself as the "Vacation State". The intriguing shore lines and rustic appearance became the images on postcards and advertisements sent all over the country. His artwork translated into the idea that Maine will revive you and was a major factor in the increase of tourism. Today, the Portland Museum of Art holds an extensive collection of Winslow Homer's artwork in hopes it will expose and educate audiences on the heritage and impact of his masterpieces.
Resources: Winslow Homer at the PMA: http://www.portlandmuseum.org/exhibitions-collections/winslowhomer.shtml
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