Rockport, MA. Fishing Harbor is a photograph by Joann Vitali which was uploaded on June 8th, 2020.
Rockport, MA. Fishing Harbor
Nothing beats a trip to Rockport Massachusetts in the heart of New England in the summertime. Rockport harbor boasts a unique view of Motif #1, a... more
by Joann Vitali
Title
Rockport, MA. Fishing Harbor
Artist
Joann Vitali
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Nothing beats a trip to Rockport Massachusetts in the heart of New England in the summertime. Rockport harbor boasts a unique view of Motif #1, a tiny red fishing shack surrounded by lobster traps and colorful fishing boats in the marina.
Motif Number 1, located on Bradley Wharf in the harbor town of Rockport, Massachusetts, is a fishing shack well known to students of art and art history as "the most often-painted building in America".
Built in the 1840s as Rockport became home to a colony of artists and fishermen, the shack became a favorite subject of painters due to the composition and lighting of its location as well as being a symbol of New England maritime life. Painter Lester Hornby (1882-1956) is believed to be the first to call the shack "Motif Number 1" a reference to its being the favorite subject of the town's painters, and the name achieved general acceptance.
In the 1930s, painter John Buckley used the shack as his studio. He sold it to the town in 1945. In 1945, the town of Rockport purchased the Motif as a monument to Rockporters who had served in the Armed Services. The town, recognizing its iconic value, has taken pains to preserve both its structure and appearance, finding a red paint which appears weather-beaten even when new, and keeping the area clear of overhead wires, traffic signs and advertising.
The shack was destroyed during the Blizzard of 1978, but an exact replica was constructed that same year.
Uploaded
June 8th, 2020
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Comments (4)
Jan Mulherin
Congratulations!! This stunning image has been selected to be featured for the week in the “Art Forever with You” Group Home Page. You are welcome to add a preview of this featured image to the group’s discussion post titled “2020 September: Stunning Group Featured Images and Thank-you’s” for a permanent display within the group, to share this achievement with others. Also feel free to post your feature on our group Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/296998814248643/ Thank you for your participation in the group! ~Jan (September 9, 2020)
Jan Mulherin
Congratulations!! This beautiful image has been selected to be featured for the week in the “New England Photographers Photographing New England” Group Home Page. You are welcome to add a preview of this featured image to the group’s discussion post titled “2020 July: Stunning Featured Images and Thank-you’s” for a permanent display within the group, to share this achievement with others. You may also share this featured image on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/171657183565863/ Thank you for your participation in the group! (July 2, 2020)