Were we just in Rockport? Yes, 11 days ago we were in Rockport, Maine. Now we are in Rockport, Massachusetts. There are approximately 15 towns in the USA called Rockport. In this case, we are on our last stop in New England, and there is a nor’easter nearby. We have particularly heavy surf, and gale force 7 winds.

The largest nearby town is Gloucester, famous for being the country’s oldest seaport and home of the North Atlantic fishing industry in the USA. Also, the home of The Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial made famous by the book and movie, The Perfect Storm.

Before we get to the lighthouses, I need to write about Motif No. 1 which is the most often painted subject in the history of the world. The original was built in 1884, but destroyed in a storm in 1978 and rebuilt the same year. It is now owned and maintained by the city.

It is located on Bearskin Neck, a narrow straight that has about sixty businesses including motels, B and Bs, galleries, gift shops, and restaurants. It is adjacent to the Rockport Harbor that has three wharfs, including the Bradley Wharf, home of Motif No. 1.

Motif No. 1 got its name from a sarcastic exclamation made by American painter Lester Hornby in the 1930s. Hornby studied in France where the phrase “sue le motif” was commonly used to mean painting live directly from an actual subject.

As Rockport became a destination as an art colony and location for art students and classes, the large number of students continuously drew or painted this same red fishing shack over and over again. Exasperated during a class with so many students presenting the same subject, the instructor, Hornby, blurted out, “What?! Motif No. 1, again!”

There’s a reason why so many people paint and photograph this perfect archetype of a fishing shack.

On to the lighthouses. There are six historic lighthouses across Cape Ann.

Eastern Point Lighthouse may be the most famous and visited, and you can see Dog Bar Light on the same jetty.

Several of these lights are on or near private property and are hard to get close too. Also, a couple are off shore on islands.

Annisquam Light can be seen from Wingaersheet Beach.

Ten Pound Island Lighthouse is in Gloucester Harbor and is visible from many angles, though Fort Point is probably the best location to see it.

Straitsmouth Island Light is also off shore with good views from Gap Cove.

Thatcher Island Twin Lights is famous for having two lighthouses. Their nickname is Ann’s Eyes. They are best seen from Loblolly Cove.

All of these lighthouses can been seen on the scenic Cape Ann loop on Massachusetts 127/127A. It’s only 34 miles, but takes 90 minutes without stops as the average speed limit is about 25 mph.

Since some of these Lights are off shore, I am using a 300mm Fujinon telephoto lens to photograph them.