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 "The Gulf Stream" by Winslow Homer Public domain (click on the image above to see a larger version) What is a masterpiece?by Jamie McKenzie(about author) |
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As a child I viewed and felt the impact of the Winslow Homer painting shown above on a daily basis -- a copy that hung on the wall of my father's study. I felt alarmed by the man's horrible situation, surrounded by hungry sharks and threatened by a furious storm, but I viewed him as heroic and hoped the vessel off in the background might come to his rescue. It never did, of course, except in my imagination and in my dreams. It has remained a favorite ever since and readily comes to mind when I think about masterpieces. Homer's painting hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and over the years I have sat many times on a bench savoring the image in its full glory. 71.4 cm (28.1 in) × 124.8 cm (49.1 in) The vessel in the background has not moved and his predicament has not changed, but I can gaze at Homer's painting for hours at a time. What is it that makes this painting capable of evoking such strong reactions? VirtuosityTo be considered a masterpiece, the poem, the painting, the symphony and any other work of art must be created with a high degree of virtuosity -- "the singer has to display extreme virtuosity: skill, skilfulness, mastery, expertise, expertness, prowess, proficiency, ability, aptitude, adroitness, dexterity, deftness, excellence, brilliance, talent, genius, artistry, technique, art, creativity, flair, finish, polish, panache, finesse, wizardry, calibre, quality, professionalism; craftsmanship, handiness, workmanship, musicianship." Source: the Apple Dictionary/ThesaurusHomer's skill and artistry in creating "The Gulf Stream" is evident in his choice of colors, his brushwork and the composition of his image. The colors are generally violent and threatening, fitting the mood he wishes to create. He portrays the sharks and the man with a startling intensity, and he combines the various elements so that the viewer is enthralled and threatened, almost as if riding on the sloop. He even adds a ship on the horizon to provide a sense of hope. To increase the sense of danger, he places two huge sharks in the foreground riding a rising wave, while the sloop and the man are placed below them. It almost looks like one of the sharks can bite the man's feet. TranscendenceTo be considered a masterpiece, the poem, the painting, the symphony and any other work of art must be created with a high degree of transcendence. It must be "mystical, mystic, spiritual, divine, heavenly, exalted, sublime, ethereal, numinous, transmundane, ineffable." Source: the Apple Dictionary/ThesaurusHomer's painting touches one's soul. It is both captivating and enthralling -- "fascinating, entrancing, enchanting, bewitching, captivating, absorbing, engrossing, memorable, compelling, riveting, readable, gripping, exciting, transfixing, transporting, hypnotic, mesmerizing, intriguing, spellbinding." Source: the Apple Dictionary/Thesaurus In this case, the painting is quite horrific and yet inspiring as we see the man struggling with great courage and determination to survive against daunting conditions. We cannot help but wonder how well any of us would be able to handle such a situation. Homer has portrayed the human condition at its most precarious along with a level of personal courage that is remarkable. Some of us have even had moments when the sharks were similarly close at hand, eager to drag us under. They may have been human sharks, but they were capable of inspiring dread much like Homer's sharks. The eye of the beholderMany believe that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."For this reason, some will pass by Homer's painting without pausing. I know from watching while sitting on the bench in front of the painting. These folks might be surprised to learn that I think of his painting as a masterpiece. They may not find it thrilling or magical. Many people consider the "Mona Lisa" a masterpiece, but though I have gone to see it in Paris a dozen times, I do not find it thrilling or magical. It might have influenced many painters and been historically significant, but it leaves me cold. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!" might hold true for determining if a work of art should be classified as a masterpiece, but some art historians, critics and experts might disagree. They may care more about the painting's impact on the art world. How about Rodin's "Thinker?" © J. McKenzie Would you consider Rodin's sculpture a masterpiece? Why or why not? How about "The Dying Swan?"Would you consider this music and this dance a masterpiece? Why or why not? How about Shakespeare's Sonnet 18?Would you consider this sonnet a masterpiece? Why or why not? Would you consider Ibsen's play "Hedda Gabler" a masterpiece? Why or why not?  © J. McKenzie & Mia Shy Would you consider Tennessee Williams' play "Glass Menagerie" a masterpiece? Why or why not?  © J. McKenzie & Mia Shy Would you consider Dostoyevsky's novel "Anna Karenina" a masterpiece? Why or why not?  © J. McKenzie & Mia Shy |
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