Artwork

Girl with Hay Rake

Girl with Hay Rake, by Winslow Homer, watercolor, 1878
Girl with Hay Rake, by Winslow Homer, watercolor, 1878

Girl with Hay Rake is a watercolor drawing by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Girl with Hay Rake is a 1878 watercolor drawing on wove paper by Winslow Homer, depicting a serene rural scene.

Subject & Meaning

A young girl, partially obscured from view, stands in a lush field, conveying a sense of calm through her gentle pose and natural surroundings.

Technique & Style

Homer employed soft, muted watercolors with glazing techniques to achieve depth, texture, and a tranquil atmosphere, characterized by a restrained palette of greens, browns, and yellows.

History & Provenance

Created in 1878, specific ownership and exhibition histories are not detailed in available information.

Context

Reflects Homer's interest in capturing everyday rural life, contributing to a broader 19th-century artistic focus on the American landscape and its inhabitants.

Legacy

Contributes to Homer's reputation for nuanced watercolor portraits of everyday life, though its individual impact within his oeuvre is not prominently distinguished in available sources.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Winslow Homer

Artist

Winslow Homer

Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and illustrator, best known for his marine subjects.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.