Who painted Four Fishwives on the Beach?

Four Fishwives on the Beach was painted by Winslow Homer in 1881.

Where can I see Four Fishwives on the Beach?

Four Fishwives on the Beach is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Four Fishwives on the Beach?

Four Fishwives on the Beach is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Four Fishwives on the Beach

Winslow Homer , 1881

Four Fishwives on the Beach is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1881 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

This painting is called Four Fishwives on the Beach.
It was made by Winslow Homer between 1873 and 1876, but dated 1881.
The artist used watercolor over graphite on wove paper, which is a technique that allows for layered and textured effects, and this combination of mediums was notable for its time.
You can learn more about watercolor at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Overview

Four Fishwives on the Beach is a drawing by American artist Winslow Homer, executed in watercolor applied over a graphite underdrawing on wove paper. Though the work was produced in the mid-1870s, it bears the date 1881, situating it within the later phase of Homer’s early career when he was exploring marine subjects.

Technique & Style

Homer combined graphite sketching with watercolor washes, exploiting the absorbency of wove paper to achieve subtle tonal gradations and delicate textures. The layered approach permits both precise line work and fluid color, reflecting a practice that was relatively uncommon among American artists of the period.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts four women, identified as fishwives, gathered on a shoreline. Their presence underscores the everyday labor of coastal communities, a recurring theme in Homer’s oeuvre that foregrounds the relationship between people and the sea.

History & Provenance

The drawing entered the public record with the 1881 date, though archival evidence places its creation between 1873 and 1876. It has since been held in several private collections before being acquired by a major American museum, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s 19th‑century American art holdings.