Martin, Homer Dodge (1836-1897)

Born in Albany, Homer Dodge Martin displayed a skill for art from a young age. Martin was a self-taught landscape painter. In 1857, when he was only 20, he began to exhibit his work in the National Academy of Design. He moved to New York City in 1863 and eventually took up residence in the Tenth Street Studio from 1865-1882 (The National Cyclopedia 53; Tenth Street Studio 133). For Martin, a man filled with Bohemian sensibilities, there is scattered evidence that he was a member of Pfaff’s. For example, there is a description of him as a member of the “Pfaff group” that was published in the Saturday Press. (Lathrop 832) There is also the fact that his studio was in the same building, the Tenth Street Studio, as Winslow Homer, who has been linked to Pfaff's (Mather).

He spent several years in the later part of his career in Europe before returning to the United States in 1893 and moving to St. Paul, Minnesota. Near the end of his life, he had become nearly blind (The National Cyclopedia 53). As a young man he achieved moderate success, but by the end of his life he was deeply in debt and unable to sell his work. However, as with other great artists, his work became incredibly popular soon after his death. Some of his most well-known pieces are: The Church at Criqueboeuf, Mussel Gatherers, Low Tide--Villerville, Ontario Sand Dunes, Blossoming Trees, The Sun Worshippers, Honfleur Light, Old Manor, and Westchester Hills.