Motif No. 1, located on Bradley Wharf in Rockport, is a fishing shack well known to students of art and art history as one of the most often-painted buildings in America. Built in the 1840s as Rockport became home to a colony of artists and fishermen, the shack became a favorite subject of painters due to the composition and lighting of its location as well as being a symbol of New England maritime life. In the 1930s, painter John Buckley used the shack as his studio. He sold it to the town in 1945, dedicated “In 1945, the town of Rockport purchased the Motif as a monument to Rockporters who had served in the Armed Services.” Although the original building was lost in the Blizzard of 1978, this former fishing shack is said to be the most painted building in the country. The town, recognizing its iconic value, has preserved both its structure and appearance. Although the original building was lost in the Blizzard of 1978, this former fishing shack is said to be the most painted building in the country.
