Motif No. 1 | The Story Behind Rockport’s Little Red Shack
Did you know that the little red fishing shack in Rockport, Massachusetts, also known as Motif No. 1, is the most painted building in the world?
By Bethany Bourgault|Jul 27 2022|
Motif No. 1 stands proudly on its granite pier.
Photo Credit: Bethany BourgaultMotif No. 1, the famous icon of Rockport, Massachusetts, is ready for its close-up. Artists, both experienced and novice, appreciate its lines and charm, while sightseers flock to photograph it every day. It’s the most painted building in the world, and it’s right here in New England.
To the untrained eye, Motif No. 1 looks like a simple fishing shack. That’s what it once was, after all. Built in the mid-1840s, it housed fishermen’s supplies and daily catches for years. When the U.S. Naval Fleet docked in Rockport, locals used the shack as a place for meeting and watching ship launches. It became an artist’s studio in the 1930s, before finally serving as a city-owned monument to the area’s veterans.
As Rockport gained notoriety as an artists’ haven, painters flocked to the town to capture the true-blue New England scenes. One such painter, Lester Hornby, loved the area and taught painting classes in the summer. He would send his students out to paint whatever scenes caught their eyes, and he noticed a trend in the work he got back. His students seemed to favor the little red building over anything else on Rockport’s seaside landscape. It was the quintessential icon of a New England fishing town, right down to the ever-so-slightly weathered paint. It was becoming a “motif” — a French term for a theme within a work of art that often repeats itself. Legend has it that upon being presented with yet another rendition of the shack, Hornby exclaimed “What? Motif No. 1 again!” and we’ve been calling it that ever since.
Photo Credit : Bethany Bourgault
Photo Credit : Bethany Bourgault
Photo Credit : Bethany Bourgault
In the years since, Motif No. 1 has earned a celebrity status seemingly disproportionate with its lack of grandeur. A float modeled after it won first place in the American Legion parade held during the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. It makes a guest appearance in the movie, Finding Nemo. It has its own festival, celebrating Rockport’s arts and supporting local schools. It has been featured on a postage stamp, cigarette ad, and bourbon bottle. When it was destroyed by the blizzard of 1978, the town of Rockport recognized its significance and built a near-exact replica.
Next time you’re in Rockport, MA, be sure to check out this little building. It won’t take long (unless you’re painting it) and it’ll surely be worth it. You’ll be able to say that you’ve seen the most painted building in the world, and, like many before you, you may find that your heart is captured by the icon of quintessential New England.
Photo Credit : Bethany Bourgault
Photo Credit : Bethany Bourgault
Have you ever seen, photographed, or drawn Motif No. 1?
This post was first published in 2016 and has been updated.
SEE MORE:
Summer Day Trip to Rockport, MA
10 Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England
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Visited it this summer …. Was an unexpected amazing discovery for my passion of photography!
We try to get there at least once a year. We were just there last weekend for Lobsterfest, and took several pics, as I always do!
My husband and I vacationed in the New England area several years ago and while walking around, stumbled upon this beautiful scene. We did not know its history, just thought it was a charming spot. My husband took some pics of it and one turned out so well that we blew it up and put on canvas and it now hangs in my bedroom. So nice to know the history with it now.
There’s a huge reason the Motif has made it into the Pixar movies! Andrew Stanton grew up here. 🙂
We have a print of this delightful “Motif” hanging in our first floor bathroom. Many guests have commented on the lovely setting. There’s not a day goes by that I don’t see it. Makes me smile, and in some moments, lifts my spirits. We go on vacation to Ogunquit, Maine about every two years and have stayed in MA en route. After discovering the story behind our print, we’re now thinking our next trip must include a stop to see this in person as my husband enjoys taking lots of photographs on any/all of our adventures.
Lived up the hill from this scene. Loved itboff season as well. Worth the day trip from Boston. Train stops at Rockport and Gloughster. Sweetest town in MA.
One of the most unique photographs was taken by David Dempster from the rear of his studio, titled “Motif #1 in Winter”. The light snow, different perspective and stacks of wooden slat lobster traps are magical.
Do you have a picture of that photo? He was a major talent!
Thanks,
I am 72 years old, live in Southern NH and just visited Rockport for the very first time. Just fell in love with it and will be making a return visit for sure. So beautiful and peaceful.
I have visited Rockport MA twice in the last two Summer’s and it really is a very beautiful sight to photograph and paint. We will go back, Lord willing next year.
Another small piece on the small shack, which yet again avails me of the opportunity to dispel one of the many persistent myths; specifically, that the shack was built in the 1840’s. The fact that hardly any of the locals had a clear idea of when the original shack was first built (many believing it to be from the Civil War era), was one of the curiosities that prompted this Kansan to embark on investigating and writing the history of that small place to begin with, IN SEARCH OF MOTIF NO. 1. And I present very convincing evidence and documentation that it was actually built in the 1884-1885 time frame.
I have visited and photographed Motif #1 many times over the years. I enlarged one of my prints and it hangs in my family room. One year I met Sven Ohrvel Carlson, who lived in Rockport and owned a gallery there. I have his large poster of Motif #1 hanging in a hallway. Love Rockport!
This is just one of the many things i miss about New England i now live in Las Vegas but a little piece of my heart will always be back east
Spent many many days there in the hippie 60’s ! Will have to look up some of my old photos . . it seems that there used to be more ‘objects D’ art” on the side in those days though . . .
I thought it was now known as motif no.2 because the first one was destroyed pretty bad in tbe blizzard of 78
This Motif No. 1 has also been made into a Sebastian Figurine –and probably there are many out there–My Husband collected Sebastian figurines and I have one of these.
We vacationed in nearby Annisquam in the ’50s, and frequently visited. I like the moored boats and how they alternately pay homage or ignore it depending on the tide. Sadly missing are the old wooden “pots”.
Rockport and Motif #1 have been a part of my life for over 60 years. I have vacationed there since I was a teenager and spent my first honeymoon there.
My home is filled with paintings of Rockport and Cape Ann, and of course Motif #1, by famous Rockport artists. I live in Syracuse, New York, but my heart is always in Rockport, a truly special place. Thanks Yankee for the beautiful Pictures that remind me of why I love it so.
I have a very old motif #1 in water color. I am trying to figure out what it is worth. I can only make out the first name: John
Is it possibly John Hare?
Many years ago a friend and I went up there. She had never been to New England so I thought it would be a nice introduction to her. When we came into Rcokport and I turned the corner onto Beach Street and you could see the ocean, she gasped and said, “It’s, it’s sooooooo New Englandy!” I still kid her about that to this day!
Back in 1970’s I went to “photo” the “Red Fishing Shack”. Stopped for directions at a welcome building. Your header calls it a “shack” also. The person became quite upset when I asked how to get to “the Red Shack”. He said it’s not a shack BUT IS “Motif # 1”. Now I know it is more than just a shack !! He , as I now know, was proud that it was more than Just A Shack !! As others have said, so New England, beautiful, gotta love it and the area also !
My husband collected “Sebastian Miniatures” and one of the ones he HAD to have was “The Motif #1–I still have it –We never did get to see it in person but have always loved the stories I have read about it–My husband has been gone 2 years but I still enjoy looking at his collection–We were originally from New Hampshire and retired to VA.
I have a painting my sister left me it was painted by Grace Andrews I believe she lived in Essex or Glouchester. I grew up in Lynn, Mass but visited my sister in Essex since little girl. It’s lovely . I now live in Fl. And do not get back to New England but my heart will always be there. We get Yankee and my husband (89) reads it form cover to cover. Miss good sea food!!!
I have a motif #1 bank. visited there years ago. loved it. lots of photos also
I live in Maine, and upon returning to visit family and friends, I always come to Rockport to have a snack and sit and people watch. Motif #1 is also in the movie “The Proposal”. I have many photos of Motif #1. Rockport is my home away from home.
Every trip to New England ends with an overnight in Rockport and lobster from Moore’s Seafood on the ‘Neck. I once had a print of a painting of #1 from the backside on a foggy morning. Rumor has it that the restoration in 1978 was funded by KODAK (no digital cameras then)!
After reading the article,I glanced up at my Rogues Gallery and smiled.Reason being,smack dab in the middle is an original photo taken around 1970. Only difference is that the boats are older. I can hear all the beauty of the area when I look at my photo
Coming from Austria I found my long missing aunt in Rockport and she invited me to come there. I fell in love with the town and Motif no 1. We went there several times because I am an artist myself. I never painted the motif though but my aunt gave me a painting of it.
I have a photograph of Motif#1 under the light of a full moon. The photograph was taken by my good friend Clark Linehan. It is, as most pictures of Motif #1 are, beautiful, but even more spectacular in the moonlight. Thank you Clark.
We always loved Rockport and spent many vacations there and surrounding area. I had a small ink drawing I bought there on one of our trips Of Motif #1 that I used to hang on wall off my dental hygiene room. Brought it with me years ago when we moved to Arizona for my health and though it got lost. My son found it an in one of our closets and plan to hang it again over my desk now.
Yes, Motif #1 is sooooo beautifully New England. However, I was always told that Nubble Lighthouse in York Beach, ME was the most photographed building in New England. Maybe you can do a special story on Nubble in the future.
My wife and I brought our two sons to Rockport every summer for years! Our favorite motel is right on the beach in the center of town, CAPTAIN’S BOUNTY. We would sit on the small deck, looking out into the Atlantic Ocean and watch as the lobster men would take their boats from buoy to buoy and hoist the day’s catch! My oldest son wound up on a postcard of the motel, quite incidentally, endearing us even more so to this beautiful Oceanside haven in New England!
Do you know the Blue Building to the right is called….. Motif #2
Ok question I found a picture of this at a goodwill store in Wisconsin. Well it says on back of picture before fire. My question is was there a fire in that area in early 80’s or anytime?
No fire, but a blizzard in ’78. The storm tossed Motif #1 right into the harbor waters. ASAP, the town replaced it with a nearly identical building.
I am in my 70’s and I have been drawing/painting Motif #1 since I was in 4th grade. My art teacher was Marguerite Peaslee who summered in Rockport. I have been there and enjoyed the view many times, and hope to see it again someday.
After moving to the mid-west, longing for anything New England, I bought a large black and white photo of Motif 1. It still hangs in our living room. Each day, Motif 1 lovingly reminds me of home.
In the top picture there is a wooden A-frame structure a bit behind Motif #1. Does anybody know what that is? Some sort of boat hoist or similar? Thanks!
Yes, the a-frame supports a beam that at its other end connects to one of the buildings on Bearskin Neck. The hook end hangs out over the water. If you go to Google Maps and search for “Rockport Ma, Bearskin Neck” it will lead you to a panorama with a good closeup look at the a-frame, and a distant look at the other side of the Motif #1 building.
A wonderful man named Brud Burbank hired me to help the Rockport Rotary club paint (stain) the Motif that replaced the destroyed building in 1978. As I remember the building was built by local contractors volunteering.
I LOVE Rockport and visited there frequently every summer for some 20 years until I moved to the south. It has some great unique shops, amazing restaurants, gorgeous beaches and plenty of history!!!!
My friends and I just returned to Texas from a two-week trip to New England which ended with a 3-day stay in the quaint town of Rockport, MA. My favorite photograph of the entire trip is one I took of Motif #1 on our last day there. I plan to enlarge it and hang it in my home. If you haven’t been to this area, I highly recommend it. And don’t pass up Roy Moore’s! Best lobstah rolls in town! 🙂
Motif 1 & 2 were painted in abstract by the famed artist K of Gloucester several years back, it was painted in Apple green and really impressed upon me the New England spirit that no matter the weather, or lighting that the icon remains no matter the circumstances.
I took a photo of the original one I took in March 1971 with a Kodak Instamatic 100 camera. I don’t see a way to share it here.
As a native New Englander, now Nebraskan, I soak up any remnant of that beautiful area, whenever the occasion arises!
I got a beautiful painting of Motif #1 at an estate sale in Lakewood colorado for one dollar!
Wow! I live in Evergreen, CO, but am originally from Danvers, MA.
Love Motif #1, whenever I see a photo of it I get homesick for Rockport and the Cove. Was born there and after moving to Conn we spent our Summers/Holidays their at my Grandmothers. It is a very special place!
Yes, I’ve been there twice in the past 10 years and photographed it. The setting has so much character I can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t want to capture it in some way.
I first photographed “Motif 1” back in the 1960’s. And I have been back a few more times and each time I shoot another photo. It is one of my favorite photos!!
I have a treasured photo I took of the original Motif which has that beautiful weathered look that the current does not have. I just love all of Rockport.
It’s still a treasured photo.
I love Motif #1 and many years ago found a counted cross stitch pattern of it. It is beautiful and I have it framed in a weathered looking rustic grey frame, and is truly a prize!!!
Before my parents were married they went there and each drew Motif No. 1. My Dad was an artist, my Mom a home ec. teacher. I prefer my Mom’s.
A pleasure to read the comments! In the 1950s (or near date) I had a subscription to “Yankee” and also large “Yankee” book. My first oil painting – a tall ship from a card – as I waited for my young husband to return from overseas duty. Much later, a visit to your area. Will search my pictures for the “Red” mentioned!
My husband and I were there in June and really enjoyed walking around Rockport. We had a delightful breakfast at one of the local cafes and afterwards spent many hours exploring and photographing.
And I am taking one of Dad’s photographs of it he took while you were both there this summer to paint a 20×24 with the usual detail. (Shirley W’s daughter on Cape Cod)
What was the art instruction television show that opened with an image of Motif No. 1? We can’t find the name of the show or the host and it’s torturing us!
We just stayed in Rockport for the July 4th celebration. What a lovely town. The residents are so nice, laid back and eager to offer advice to travelers. We will definitely go back. I snapped a stunning photo of Motif #1, after a day of torrential rains.
Just be sure you find the right one. My daughter ended up in Rockport, Maine looking for it. Not there. ha ha
Still there and wonderful!
I was fortunate enough to take a photograph of the original on one of my favorite Massachusetts cities that my Mother and I used to visit. I had it enlarged and framed and one of my favorite. So happy to be lucky enough to photograph the original.