The Winslow Homer Studio
The Portland Museum of Art acquired the Winslow Homer Studio on January 31, 2006. The Studio and the surrounding grounds are closed to the public while construction and restoration projects take place. The Museum will open the Studio in September 2012.
One of the most significant locations in the history of American art, the Studio is where the great American artist Winslow Homer (1836-1910) lived and painted many of his masterpieces from 1883 until his death. The Portland Museum of Art is currently undergoing a major capital campaign to raise $10.5 million for the acquisition, preservation, and endowment of the Winslow Homer Studio.
A registered National Historic Landmark, the renovated Winslow Homer Studio will be used to celebrate the artist's life, to encourage scholarship on Homer, and to educate audiences to appreciate the artistic heritage of Winslow Homer and Maine.
The Studio will play a major role in enhancing the Museum's association with Winslow Homer. The Museum has long been a destination for scholars and admirers of Homer's work. The Museum's Homer collection includes such notable objects as his first oil painting, Sharpshooter; an original watercolor paint box; and a nearly comprehensive collection of more than 450 illustrations given to the Museum by Peggy and Harold Osher in 1991. The graphics collection includes more than 90% of Homer's graphic output and chronicles the artist's early career as a commercial illustrator.
Winslow Homer
Winslow Homer is one of the most important artists in the history of American art. Born February 24, 1836 in Boston, Massachusetts, Homer was a self-taught artist and began his career as an apprentice with a Boston lithographer. He became a freelance illustrator in New York City, working for popular magazines of the time such as Haper's Weekly. As a sketch artist, Homer's views of the Civil War brought him national attention. Homer also spent time in France, England, as well as the Bahamas before moving permanently to Prouts Neck in Scarborough, Maine, 12 miles south of Portland. He is widely known for his skill with watercolors and oils as well as his powerful marine scenes of rugged waves and solitary figures. Homer died at his studio on Prouts Neck on September 29, 1910 at the age of 74.
Winslow Homer Studio Press
"Society Notebook: Homer's View"
Maine Sunday Telegram, August 8, 2010
Winslow Homer Gala Weekend Photos
Winslow Homer Gala Weekend
The Press Herald, "Society Snapshots" of the Cocktail Party, July 30
‘Bob Keyes: Home of Homer expertise’
The Press Herald, July 25, 2010
New York Times story on Winslow Homer, the Studio, and Prouts Neck.
Winslow Homer Exhibition
Winslow Homer and the Poetics of Place - on view through September 6, 2010
More Information
Winslow Homer Studio Restoration Project Images 2010
Winslow Homer Studio Images 2006
Winslow Homer Studio Press Kit
Winslow Homer Chronology
The Campaign
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