Two Studies of a Sailor with Raised Arm

About this artwork

Sketch of the head and shoulders of sailor, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and holding a coat (a sou'wester), at right. Another sailor, nearly full-length, with left arm raised, is shown wearing rain hat and yelling. A sketch of clouds and sea appears at left. Various notations at the margins.

Art Historical Context

Winslow Homer, a towering figure in American Realism, created *Two Studies of a Sailor with Raised Arm* around 1895–96, during his later years at his Prouts Neck, Maine. By this time, Homer had fully embraced maritime themes, capturing the raw drama of fishermen and sailors battling the Atlantic's fury. These quick sketches—likely pencil or charcoal on paper—reveal his meticulous preparatory process, blending portrait-like detail with elemental force. On the right, sailor's head and shoulders emerge under a wide-brimmed hat, a sou'wester coat, essential gear for stormy seas. To the left, a nearly full-length figure yells with arm raised, rain hat askew, evoking urgent cries amid tempests. Swirling clouds, waves, and marginal notations hint at evolving compositions, perhaps for larger oils or watercolors like Homer's iconic *The Life Line* or *Breezing Up*. This duality showcases his skill in freezing motion and emotion, hallmarks of his realist style. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum through a family gift, these studies offer a window into Homer's genius: transforming everyday peril into timeless heroism. Visitors, imagine the salt spray and howling wind—Homer brings it vividly to life on the page.