PORTLAND, Maine (AP)   The Portland Museum of Art is expanding its Winslow Homer collection thanks to a donation from the Berger Collection Educational Trust.

Museum Director Mark Bessire says the dozen paintings will bolster the museum’s position as a place to experience the art and legacy of Homer, one of the greatest American artists of the 19th century. The Portland Museum of Art already has an extensive collection and owns the Winslow Homer Studio on the Maine coast.

He said he and others are “excited to welcome these works of art back to Maine.”

Arthur Lipper, chairman of the Berger Collection Educational Trust, said Bill and Bernadette Berger would be proud that the donation of Homer’s works is fulfilling the foundation’s goal of sponsoring programs that foster art appreciation and creativity.