Winslow Homer
American, 1836­1910
The Herring Net
1885
Oil on canvas
76.5 x 122.9 cm
Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Ryerson Collection, 1937.1039

Homer painted two people—probably a father and son—pulling nets full of glistening herring into a small boat or dory. We can’t tell what time of day it is, because the clouds are so thick and menacing. 

Homer lived for many years in a Maine cottage that overlooked the Atlantic Ocean. He filled sketch pads and canvases with views of the ever-changing sea. To create this painting, a sailor rowed the artist out to the fishing fleet where he could sketch up close the labor of hauling in the herring nets. How does the boy help steady the boat as the man pulls in the loaded net?