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Judith H. Dobrzynski on Culture

Winslow Homer Shines At The Clark

And, really, everywhere, doesn’t he?

CLK339895American art historians sometimes self-divide into those who think that Winslow Homer was the greatest American artist of the 19th century and those who think Thomas Eakins was. I have always come down on the Homer side. So it was a real pleasure for me to travel to the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute a few weeks ago to see its summer exhibition, Winslow Homer: Making Art, Making History.

Sterling Clark also came down on the Homer side. He called Homer one of the greatest artists of the 19th century — “with no qualifying “American” in that accolade,” as I write in my review, published in tomorrow’s Wall Street Journal. It’s headlined, Winslow Homer at the Clark Art Institute: The Makings of A Master. He bought more than 200 works by Homer — many were etchings, of course — and owned more works by Homer than any other artist. After his death, the Clark added more.

And, I believe, it has its eye on even more. Making Art, Making History is not a theme show; it’s an exhibition of the Clark’s collection. But the Clark has borrowed four watercolors and one painting from an unnamed private New York collector to fill in some gaps. And don’t they look great with all these others? Ah, the tried-and-true way to woo a donation!

I wish the Clark luck on that.

Here I’ve posted Homer’s marvelous West Point, Prout’s Neck — a painting critics panned when it was first shown – but if you like you can see his famous Undertow at that WSJ link. and four additional works — two paintings, two etchings — on my website.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Clark

 

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About Judith H. Dobrzynski

Now an independent journalist, I've worked as a reporter in the culture and business sections of The New York Times, and been the editor of the Sunday business section and deputy business editor there as well as a senior editor of Business Week and the managing editor of CNBC, the cable TV

About Real Clear Arts

This blog is about culture in America as seen through my lens, which is informed and colored by years of reporting not only on the arts and humanities, but also on business, philanthropy, science, government and other subjects. I may break news, but more likely I will comment, provide

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