Artwork

"Come!"

"Come!", by Winslow Homer, 1869
"Come!", by Winslow Homer, 1869

"Come!" is a print by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1869 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Winslow Homer's 'Come!' is a print created in an unspecified year, though the artist was active from the mid-19th century. The work is not an oil painting as sometimes referenced, but rather a drawing or print.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a woman leaning out of a window, her back to the viewer, as a man outside waves an object, possibly a letter or handkerchief. The woman's posture conveys hesitation or indecision, suggesting a narrative of tension or emotional conflict.

Technique & Style

Homer employed sharp lines and chiaroscuro to capture the effects of light on the scene, creating a sense of depth and dimensionality. The contrast between light and shadow emphasizes the figures against the darker background.

Context

Homer was an American artist known for his marine subjects, though this work diverges from that theme. He began his career as a commercial illustrator before transitioning to other mediums.

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: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.