The Fog Warning (by Winslow Homer) Doormat

This design features a painting by American artist Winslow Homer (1836–1910), who was well known for his mastery of marine subjects. It depicts a Maine fisherman in a rowing boat, known as a dory. The man has already caught several large halibut and they are resting precariously in his boat. The bad weather is threatening to cut him off as he rows back to his ship; he is turning away from the viewer, looking over his shoulder at the dark clouds in the distance. The seas are choppy and the fisherman will clearly need make a great physical effort to return to the mother ship. The weight of the halibut in the bow of the boat is slowing him down, but if he decides to leave his catch behind he will not get paid for his work. There is, therefore, a great deal of psychological tension in the painting, and it is clearly an emotive work. The original painting was completed in 1885, and it is now housed in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA.