American Art Collaborative

The demands of illustration to produce a clear communicative image, early on, became the central focus of Winslow Homer’s work. Illustration graphics have been more influential in America than in Europe, although Cézanne and Manet used graphics at times for inspiration. Other Americans influenced by graphics include Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keefe, and Andy Warhol. Homer’s work retains a strong graphic image; however, he also gives a lot of perceptual information with light and motion and virtuoso painting. Sargent, who also combined perceptual light with brushwork, did not make engaging images. This amazing watercolor does it all. The figures’ gestures capture motion, and the gestures are original compared with most European painting, which are more traditional, particularly when dealing with movement. The light from the left which does not define the back of the boat makes the boat move to the right, and the long diagonal blue line accelerates the motion. The three oblique angles of the figures’ right side also help propel the movement. The gestures are both firm and moving. The liveliness of the brushwork adds to the plausibility of the painting. It gives plausibility that no photo can match.Alex Katz