Winslow Homer – The Herring Net

Painted in 1885, The Herring Net is one of Winslow Homer’s most powerful tributes to life on the Maine coast. Working from Prouts Neck, where he lived and painted for decades, Homer turned his focus almost entirely to the relationship between people and the sea. In this scene, two fishermen work together in a small dory, hauling in a heavy net shimmering with herring. Their figures rise sharply against a pale, misty horizon where the faint sails of larger schooners drift in and out of view.

Homer captures the raw physicality of their labor—the weight of the net, the pull of the tide, the constant balance needed to keep the boat steady in incoming swells. The painting honors the courage and endurance required for such work, presenting the fishermen not as romanticized figures but as resilient individuals facing the sea’s shifting temperament. Through restrained color, strong composition, and deep respect for his subject, Homer reveals the timeless, elemental struggle between humankind and nature.

Available in various sizes.
Print is sold unframed.
All prints are archival quality.
Contact us for canvas options.