Harbor At Rest

Merrill Coffin’s Harbor at Rest is a striking seascape that captures the timeless rhythms of New England’s working waterfronts. At the center of the composition, a bright red lobster boat rests alongside the pier, its deck lined with weathered wooden lobster crates. Two fishermen, clad in yellow jackets and white caps, stand ready for their work, their presence grounding the scene.

The wharf itself tells a story of endurance and tradition. Two pale grey buildings stand guard at the water’s edge. At the pier’s end, a weathered shingle building trimmed in white hints at decades of storms and salt, while a red flag flutters above, catching the eye and lending movement to the scene. In front of the buildings, a rocky shoreline anchors the composition with natural texture against the built world.

Coffin’s brushwork blends precision with atmosphere, drawing viewers into the stillness of a moment between tides. The painting is not just a view of a lobster boat and a pier—it is a portrait of maritime life, where labor, tradition, and nature converge.

Harbor at Rest reminds us of the enduring relationship between people and the sea, a theme that resonates deeply in Merrill Coffin’s body of work.

Private Collection of James Coffin.