Right and Left 1909

Winslow Homer’s oil painting captures two ducks dramatically plunging towards a stormy sea. The scene is built from loose, expressive marks, the paint applied thinly in layers to build depth and atmosphere. Homer’s process feels intuitive, almost impulsive, which brings an amazing sense of urgency and immediacy to the painting. The subdued palette of greys and blues emphasizes the tumultuous mood. Notice how the texture varies from the smooth, almost slick surface of the water, to the feathered bodies of the ducks, rendered with visible brushstrokes. The splash where the lead duck pierces the water is particularly striking. Homer captures the dynamic moment of impact with energetic strokes of white and blue, conveying both the force and the fragility of the scene. Homer was really interested in capturing the power of nature, and you can see this in artists like Courbet, who also tackled seascapes with a similar raw energy. Art is always a conversation across time and space, an exchange of ideas that celebrates ambiguity.