Eight Bells
About this artwork
An oil painting on canvas depicting two sailors on the deck of a ship using sextants to determine their position. It is one of Homer's most famous marine paintings, capturing the dignity of labor at sea.
Did you know?
Eight Bells refers to the end of a four-hour watch shift on a ship, marking the time when the sailors would be relieved of duty. Homer painted this while living in Prout's Neck, Maine, where he became deeply fascinated by the rugged nature of the Atlantic and the lives of those who worked upon it. The painting is celebrated for its precise technical accuracy in the use of nautical instruments.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
Eight Bells
Winslow Homer, 1886
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