Breezing Up by Winslow Homer (USA — 1876) — Questions and answers

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Where can you see Winslow Homer's famous painting, 'Breezing Up (A Fair Wind),' today?

Choices

  1. At the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. ✓
  2. In Homer's old studio in Massachusetts
  3. At a private collection in New York City
  4. On display at a local library

Answer: At the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

From page 1

Where did Winslow Homer make the studies (sketches) for the figures in 'Breezing Up'?

Choices

  1. In his art studio
  2. At a museum in Europe
  3. In Gloucester, Massachusetts ✓
  4. While traveling on a ship

Answer: In Gloucester, Massachusetts

From page 2

Which artist influenced Winslow Homer to paint the everyday lives of ordinary people?

Choices

  1. Eastman Johnson
  2. Gustave Courbet ✓
  3. Franklin Roosevelt
  4. An unnamed critic

Answer: Gustave Courbet

From page 3

What was one of the biggest challenges Winslow Homer faced when painting the sea?

Choices

  1. Finding enough paint colors
  2. Making the canvas stay still
  3. Capturing the changing light and reflections on the water ✓
  4. Deciding what kind of boat to paint

Answer: Capturing the changing light and reflections on the water

From page 4

How did photography help Winslow Homer with his paintings?

Choices

  1. It made him stop painting and become a photographer instead.
  2. He used photographs as references to capture accurate details and motion. ✓
  3. It showed him how to make his paintings look exactly like photographs.
  4. He used photos to decide what colors to use in his art.

Answer: He used photographs as references to capture accurate details and motion.

From page 5

What were the figures in 'Breezing Up' originally planned to be, before Homer changed them?

Choices

  1. Sailors
  2. Fishermen ✓
  3. Young boys
  4. Old men

Answer: Fishermen

From page 6

What did Winslow Homer mean when he said, "The devil is in the details"?

Choices

  1. Painting can be very scary.
  2. It's the small, careful parts that make a painting seem real and alive. ✓
  3. He liked to paint pictures of devils.
  4. He thought painting was an easy job.

Answer: It's the small, careful parts that make a painting seem real and alive.

From page 7

How did people first react to 'Breezing Up' when it was shown?

Choices

  1. Everyone loved it right away.
  2. Many people thought it was too sad.
  3. It received a mixed reaction, with some liking its realism and others not liking its lack of romance. ✓
  4. Most critics thought it was the worst painting they had ever seen.

Answer: It received a mixed reaction, with some liking its realism and others not liking its lack of romance.

From page 8

What has 'Breezing Up' become a symbol of in America?

Choices

  1. Childhood sadness and fear of the sea
  2. Modern technology and city life
  3. Youthful optimism and the allure of the sea ✓
  4. The challenges of professional sailing

Answer: Youthful optimism and the allure of the sea

From page 9

According to the page, why will Winslow Homer's art continue to inspire people?

Choices

  1. Because it is very expensive.
  2. Because it only shows sad stories.
  3. Because it captures truth and beauty and essential truths about the human experience. ✓
  4. Because it is featured in many movies.

Answer: Because it captures truth and beauty and essential truths about the human experience.

From page 10