Milton Lenoir, Laying By, Framed Lithograph 1976

This framed lithograph titled Laying By is by world-renowned Alabamian artist Milton Lenoir. It depicts a serene coastal scene, featuring two sailboats, resting on a sandy shore. The larger sailboat is closer to the viewer and rendered with more detail, while the smaller one is further away and partially obscured by mist or fog, suggesting distance and depth. The color palette is dominated by soft, muted tones of grays, blues, and lavenders, which evoke a sense of tranquility and calm. The term "laying by on the wind" refers to a sailing maneuver where a sailboat is brought nearly head-to-wind and then the sails are adjusted to stall the boat's forward motion. This technique is used to stop or slow the boat, often in preparation for anchoring, waiting for conditions to improve or to allow another vessel to pass. In the context of this image, the sailboat appears to be at rest, possibly employing this maneuver, although it is beached rather than floating.