A fishing shack painted red and decorated with lobster buoys, Motif No. 1 is a rather ordinary, unassuming building. Yet there’s something elegant about the simple structure that evokes a unique sense of maritime charm found only in New England’s quaint coastal towns. If this shack looks familiar, you’re not alone. This rustic landmark has become renowned in the art world and is often called “the most painted building in America”.
Motif No. 1 was originally built in 1884 as an ordinary fishing shack. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Rockport became home to a vibrant art colony that still thrives today, with museums, galleries, and studios found across town. Artists took to the coastline to find inspiration, and the shack became a favorite subject because of its simple composition, the quality of its light, and its symbolism of New England maritime life. The name “Motif No. 1” is said to have originated with painter Lester Hornby as a reference to the shack being a favorite of the town’s artists, and it has stuck ever since. Notable landscape painters Aldro Hibbard and Harry Aiken Vincent also captured the building in their work.
During the Blizzard of 1978, Motif No. 1 was destroyed, but a replica was completed later that year. Since then, the town of Rockport has gone to great lengths to preserve its historical character, such as finding a shade of red paint that looks weathered even when new and keeping the area free of overhead wires, traffic signs, and advertising.
If you’d like to experience a piece of New England’s maritime culture, or perhaps make a painting of Motif No. 1 yourself, it’s definitely worth a visit.