Jack Holt
Jack Hearne, the Romany Rye
Search results
A painting by Homer depicting a rescue operation from a shipwreck at sea. Learn about the inspiration, the technique, and the themes of this and other works by the American artist.
The Life Line. 1884 Winslow Homer (American, 1836–1910) The dramatic rescue from a foundering ship shown here was made possible by a recent innovation in lifesaving technology, the breeches buoy.
- Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910)
- Oil on canvas
- 1884
- The Life Line
The Life Line. A culmination of lessons learned abroad, this transitional representation of the artist’s new style and approach to epic subjects also exemplifies the theme of struggle in the face of nature.
The Life Line was immediately recognized by critics as a major contribution to American art, portraying a heroic, contemporary subject with both painterly virtuosity and detailed observation.
Winslow Homer, The Life Line, 1884, oil on canvas, 28-5/8 x 44-3/4 inches / 72.7 x 113.7 cm (Philadelphia Museum of Art). Speakers: Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris.
- 4 min
- 29.1K
- Smarthistory
The Life Line is a late 19th-century painting by American artist Winslow Homer. Done in oil on canvas, the painting depicts the rescue of a passenger from a stricken ship. The work – one of Homer's most iconic – is in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art .
The Life Line. by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris. Suspended above the sea, the drama of this rescue scene comes from nature, not man. Winslow Homer, The Life Line, 1884, oil on canvas, 72.7 x 113.7 cm (Philadelphia Museum of Art)
