Study for ‘The Signal of Distress’ 1881

Winslow Homer’s 1881 drawing “Study for ‘The Signal of Distress’” depicts the moment a lifeboat is being lowered from a ship at sea. The drawing is rendered in pencil and watercolor, capturing the scene with meticulous detail. The figures of the sailors in the lifeboat are rendered in a loose, gestural style that conveys a sense of urgency, while the ship's rigging and the choppy waters are depicted with precision. The composition is dynamic, with the lifeboat suspended in mid-air, and the viewer's gaze is drawn towards the horizon, suggesting the vastness of the sea and the perilous situation at hand. Homer was known for his depictions of maritime subjects, and this drawing is a testament to his keen observation of the sea and the people who sailed it.