The Life Line
1884 · Oil on canvas · Philadelphia Museum of Art
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About this work
- Artist
- Winslow Homer (1836–1910)
- Year
- 1884
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Original size
- 72.7 × 113.7 cm
- Collection
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Movement
- Realism
A rescuer slides along a cable above huge waves, holding an unconscious woman in a breeches buoy, his face hidden by her blowing red scarf. Homer had studied the new life-saving apparatus at Atlantic City in 1883, and the painting was bought on the opening day of the National Academy exhibition in 1884. It is in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
This exhibition-poster edition shows the whole work beneath original typography set in-house. The original is in the public domain.
Where it works
A dramatic rescue at sea in grey-green and white for a study or hallway, framed in black. It suits slate, navy or white walls and makes a gift for a lifeguard, sailor or rescue worker.
Style, size & framing detail
- Style
- Exhibition poster of a Realism painting
- Era
- 19th century (1884)
- Orientation
- Portrait
- Palette
- cream & beige
- Mood
- dramatic, moody
- Rooms
- hallway or entryway, study or library, living room, dining room, dorm room
- Good gift for
- housewarming, art lovers
Size. Prints at 12×18, 16×24, 24×36 in — 12×18 for a shelf, desk or a gallery-wall grid; 16×24 above a desk, console or in a hallway; 24×36 as the statement piece above a sofa or bed.
Framing. Exhibition posters sit best in a slim black frame with no mat — the typeset margin is the mat.
Pairing. Pairs as a set of three with other famous painting prints (10% off three or more).
Details & materials
Shipping & returns
Is this the whole painting, or a crop?
Is The Life Line in the public domain?
What is it printed on?
When was The Life Line painted, and in what medium?
What size works above a sofa or bed?
About this design
The Madten promise
A fine-art print
The same artwork as a clean fine-art print — the image shown large with a minimal caption.





































