59.3.1 Hopkin












Fishing Boats near the Mouth of the Clyde, Oil on canvas, 1888

Born in Scotland, Hopkin immigrated to Detroit, Michigan at a young age where he rose to become one of the most influential painters in the city during the latter half of the 19th century. The major subjects of his work, romanticized maritime scenes often depicting the Detroit River or the Great Lakes, recall the British seascape tradition. 

Though not currently on display, Hopkin’s Fishing Boats near the Mouth of the Clyde is striking, and exhibits stylistic and compositional qualities associated with American Romantic Landscape painting. Indeed, the scene is bathed in a most elegant light, and the texture and movement of the clouds above is reflected in the water below. Hopkin also flirts with impressionism in this work, utilizing primarily cool colors and quick, expressive, and unblended brushstrokes. 











On the Clyde, Oil on canvas, 1882

Another visually and thematically similar work by Hopkin can be observed in the Museum’s British Tradition Gallery. Entitled On the Clyde, it too depicts a scene on the River Clyde in Scotland, a body of water which provided much inspiration for Hopkin during his frequent return visits to his home country.