Winslow Homer Watercolors [Paperback]

Helen A. Cooper (Author), Winslow Homer (Painter)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Winslow Homer was a successful illustrator in his 30s when the American Society of Painters in Watercolor held a landmark international show in New York City. It gave him the impetus to produce prolifically in this medium, and to take the text of his art from American farms and sea towns to the coast of England, from the Bahamas to Key West. Watercolor gave his oil paintings their sense of sunlight and freshness and a greater evocation of movement. Highlights of Homer's long career in watercolor are shown in 132 luminous color plates. The informed text was written by a curator of the Yale University Art Gallery. Published in conjunction with an exhibition now touring the United States, this first major survey of Homer's watercolors is recommended for art libraries and general collections. Hara L. Seltzer, NYPL
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press; 1st edition (September 10, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300039972
• ISBN-13: 978-0300039979
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,998 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Homer, my hero!, October 16, 2000

By 

S. L. Dickinson (Johannesburg, South Africa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Winslow Homer Watercolors (Paperback)

One of my heroes, Winslow Homer (1836 - 1910) worked in watercolour throughout his career. As a watercolorist myself, I rate Homer as one of the best in the history of watercolor painting.

I purchased this book for its good illustrations of Homer's watercolour paintings, but soon found that the excellent text makes compelling reading too, dealing with formal and art-historical painting issues. It is an academic publication, with an emphasis on Homer's technique as it relates to his subject and meaning. Buy it just to drool over the paintings; the text is an added bonus.

The author has grouped Homer's watercolor work into geographical sections - for example, "Bahamas", "Adirondacks", "Florida and Prout's Neck". More than just a chronological journey, the book examines Homer's work from his many different physical locations. Homer's technically brilliant watercolours reflect his unique artistic vision, celebrated in vivid color, unique viewpoints, superb composition ... and more.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Awe of Homer, June 23, 2002

By 

BeachReader (Delaware) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Winslow Homer Watercolors (Paperback)

Since seeing a show of Winslow Homer's works a few years ago, I have been in awe of this artist's talent and versatility. So it was natural for me to pick up this beautiful and informative book which focuses on his watercolor career. In addition, the author gives us Homer's earlier background as an oil painter and illustrator. She is certainly well-qualified to write about Homer---she holds the position of Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture at the Yale University Art Gallery.

The color plates in this book are gorgeous and the text gives good information about Homer, his life, times, and techniques. It was a delight for my eyes!

In 1873, at the age of 37, Homer began serious work with watercolor while in Gloucester, Massachusetts. These paintings were characterized by broad brushstrokes and extensive use of light and color.

The Gloucester watercolors began Homer's lifelong pattern: he would focus for a certain amount of time on a singular theme inspired by a particular location. Some of these themes included rural life, especially childhood, and seascapes/marine scenes. He lived for periods of time in Gloucester; Cullercoats, England; Prout's Neck, Maine; the Bahamas and Cuba;, the Adirondacks; Quebec; Bermuda; and Florida. His need for privacy led him to live in somewhat remote locations, and during these years he was constantly experimenting with new techniques. Prout's Neck was his home base for his last 30 years although he often spent time in other places during that period. It was in Cullercoats (1881-82) that he developed his mature watercolor technique and his love of sea themes which he painted for the rest of his life.

Homer's late works are very thought provoking, often showing heroic subjects or themes; they show nature's beauty and its power and humans' mortality.

Homer lived a very solitary life, never truly realizing how really famous he was. He died at the age of 75, his last five years spent even more withdrawn from society and battling many illnesses.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It inspires!, July 20, 2000

By 

James Rumford - See all my reviews

This review is from: Winslow Homer Watercolors (Paperback)

This book is the best book on Winslow Homer around. It contains many examples of his work. The reproduction is suberb, and the text is enlightening. I am a children's book illustrator and do mostly watercolors. This book is constantly at my side....to teach and inspire.