Sears Gallagher (1869–1955) was a prolific, commercially successful American artist proficient in multiple media: drawing, etching, watercolor and oil painting.
His work consists largely of landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes depicting his native Boston and northern New England, especially Monhegan Island, Maine.
Illustrating magazines and books provided steady work and income, and his etchings and prints attracted popular demand.
Gallagher took his art seriously, adapted new techniques, and was open to the influence of European Impressionism.
During the height of his career his watercolors were favorably compared to those of Winslow Homer (1836–1910) and F.
W.
Benson (1862–1910), and his etchings and drypoints to those of James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903).