Rating: 
Summary: This is the one to buy!
Review: I bought this book unseen from Amazon (based on the other reader reviews) and I love it! Before buying, I looked at these 2 other books in a bookstore and was not satisfied with their contents: 1) Winslow Homer: Artist and Angler focuses only on Homer's passion for fly fishing; 2)The Watercolors of Winslow Homer by Miles Unger (published by Norton) has a nice variety, but too many of the watercolors are printed across the gutter of the book, thus ruining the effect. This book by Cooper is lovely - It is based on an exhibition of Homer's watercolors that took place in the mid-80s, and so is comprehensive. It has a wonderful variety of all of Homer's watercolors spanning his entire career, and is nicely written. The watercolors are beautifully reproduced (not in the gutter) on fine-quality paper and the book itself is nicely designed. It is just beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and Lasting...
Review: One of my heroes, Winslow Homer (1836 - 1910) worked in watercolour throughout his career. As a watercolorist myself, I rate Homer as one of the best in the history of watercolor painting. I purchased this book for its good illustrations of Homer's watercolour paintings, but soon found that the excellent text makes compelling reading too, dealing with formal and art-historical painting issues. It is an academic publication, with an emphasis on Homer's technique as it relates to his subject and meaning. Buy it just to drool over the paintings; the text is an added bonus. The author has grouped Homer's watercolor work into geographical sections - for example, "Bahamas", "Adirondacks", "Florida and Prout's Neck". More than just a chronological journey, the book examines Homer's work from his many different physical locations. Homer's technically brilliant watercolours reflect his unique artistic vision, celebrated in vivid color, unique viewpoints, superb composition ... and more.
Rating: 
Summary: Homer, my hero!
Review: One of my heroes, Winslow Homer (1836 - 1910) worked in watercolour throughout his career. As a watercolorist myself, I rate Homer as one of the best in the history of watercolor painting. I purchased this book for its good illustrations of Homer's watercolour paintings, but soon found that the excellent text makes compelling reading too, dealing with formal and art-historical painting issues. It is an academic publication, with an emphasis on Homer's technique as it relates to his subject and meaning. Buy it just to drool over the paintings; the text is an added bonus. The author has grouped Homer's watercolor work into geographical sections - for example, "Bahamas", "Adirondacks", "Florida and Prout's Neck". More than just a chronological journey, the book examines Homer's work from his many different physical locations. Homer's technically brilliant watercolours reflect his unique artistic vision, celebrated in vivid color, unique viewpoints, superb composition ... and more.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and Lasting...
Review: Received as a gift and have loved to peruse it ever since. Everyone should have these paintings to relax them and these words that stimulate.
Rating:
Summary: In Awe of Homer
Review: Since seeing a show of Winslow Homer's works a few years ago, I have been in awe of this artist's talent and versatility. So it was natural for me to pick up this beautiful and informative book which focuses on his watercolor career. In addition, the author gives us Homer's earlier background as an oil painter and illustrator. She is certainly well-qualified to write about Homer---she holds the position of Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture at the Yale University Art Gallery. The color plates in this book are gorgeous and the text gives good information about Homer, his life, times, and techniques. It was a delight for my eyes! In 1873, at the age of 37, Homer began serious work with watercolor while in Gloucester, Massachusetts. These paintings were characterized by broad brushstrokes and extensive use of light and color. The Gloucester watercolors began Homer's lifelong pattern: he would focus for a certain amount of time on a singular theme inspired by a particular location. Some of these themes included rural life, especially childhood, and seascapes/marine scenes. He lived for periods of time in Gloucester; Cullercoats, England; Prout's Neck, Maine; the Bahamas and Cuba;, the Adirondacks; Quebec; Bermuda; and Florida. His need for privacy led him to live in somewhat remote locations, and during these years he was constantly experimenting with new techniques. Prout's Neck was his home base for his last 30 years although he often spent time in other places during that period. It was in Cullercoats (1881-82) that he developed his mature watercolor technique and his love of sea themes which he painted for the rest of his life. Homer's late works are very thought provoking, often showing heroic subjects or themes; they show nature's beauty and its power and humans' mortality. Homer lived a very solitary life, never truly realizing how really famous he was. He died at the age of 75, his last five years spent even more withdrawn from society and battling many illnesses.
Rating:
Summary: In Awe of Homer
Review: Since seeing a show of Winslow Homer's works a few years ago, I have been in awe of this artist's talent and versatility. So it was natural for me to pick up this beautiful and informative book which focuses on his watercolor career. In addition, the author gives us Homer's earlier background as an oil painter and illustrator. She is certainly well-qualified to write about Homer---she holds the position of Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture at the Yale University Art Gallery. The color plates in this book are gorgeous and the text gives good information about Homer, his life, times, and techniques. It was a delight for my eyes! In 1873, at the age of 37, Homer began serious work with watercolor while in Gloucester, Massachusetts. These paintings were characterized by broad brushstrokes and extensive use of light and color. The Gloucester watercolors began Homer's lifelong pattern: he would focus for a certain amount of time on a singular theme inspired by a particular location. Some of these themes included rural life, especially childhood, and seascapes/marine scenes. He lived for periods of time in Gloucester; Cullercoats, England; Prout's Neck, Maine; the Bahamas and Cuba;, the Adirondacks; Quebec; Bermuda; and Florida. His need for privacy led him to live in somewhat remote locations, and during these years he was constantly experimenting with new techniques. Prout's Neck was his home base for his last 30 years although he often spent time in other places during that period. It was in Cullercoats (1881-82) that he developed his mature watercolor technique and his love of sea themes which he painted for the rest of his life. Homer's late works are very thought provoking, often showing heroic subjects or themes; they show nature's beauty and its power and humans' mortality. Homer lived a very solitary life, never truly realizing how really famous he was. He died at the age of 75, his last five years spent even more withdrawn from society and battling many illnesses.
Rating:
Summary: It inspires!
Review: This book is the best book on Winslow Homer around. It contains many examples of his work. The reproduction is suberb, and the text is enlightening. I am a children's book illustrator and do mostly watercolors. This book is constantly at my side....to teach and inspire.
Rating:
Summary: It inspires!
Review: This book is the best book on Winslow Homer around. It contains many examples of his work. The reproduction is suberb, and the text is enlightening. I am a children's book illustrator and do mostly watercolors. This book is constantly at my side....to teach and inspire.
Rating:
Summary: It inspires!
Review: This book is the best book on Winslow Hommer around. It contains many examples of his work. The reproduction is suberb, and the text is enlightening. I am a children's book illustrator and do mostly watercolors. This book is constantly at my side....to teach and inspire.
Rating:
Summary: It inspires!
Review: This book is the best book on Winslow Hommer around. It contains many examples of his work. The reproduction is suberb, and the text is enlightening. I am a children's book illustrator and do mostly watercolors. This book is constantly at my side....to teach and inspire.
| 
