Who painted Fletcher Webster, Esq., Surveyor of Boston?

Fletcher Webster, Esq., Surveyor of Boston was painted by Winslow Homer in 1859.

Where can I see Fletcher Webster, Esq., Surveyor of Boston?

Fletcher Webster, Esq., Surveyor of Boston is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Fletcher Webster, Esq., Surveyor of Boston?

Fletcher Webster, Esq., Surveyor of Boston is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Fletcher Webster, Esq., Surveyor of Boston

Winslow Homer , 1859

Fletcher Webster, Esq., Surveyor of Boston is a print by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and dimensionality in the subject's face and clothing.

This painting is a portrait of a man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a dark jacket over a white shirt. He is shown from the chest up, looking directly at the viewer.

The man's attire and hairstyle suggest a formal or professional setting, possibly from the mid-19th century. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and dimensionality in the subject's face and clothing.

The Cleveland Museum of Art holds this painting, which is a notable example of Realism and Impressionism. If you're interested in learning more about the artist's technique, you might want to look up chiaroscuro.

Overview

Winslow Homer produced the portrait *Fletcher Webster, Esq., Surveyer of Boston* in 1859. Executed as a print rather than a later oil or watercolor, the work captures a mid‑nineteenth‑century professional in a straightforward, realistic manner. It belongs to the early phase of Homer’s career, before his shift toward maritime subjects.

Subject & Meaning

The image shows Fletcher Webster, a Boston surveyor, from the chest upward. He wears a dark jacket over a white shirt, his dark hair and beard styled in a manner typical of the period. His direct gaze and composed posture suggest confidence and the respectability associated with his occupation.

Technique & Style

Homer employs strong chiaroscuro, using contrasting light and shadow to model the face and clothing, giving the figure a three‑dimensional presence. The handling reflects a realist approach, while the loose handling of tonal areas hints at the emerging impressionistic sensibility that would later characterize his work.

History & Provenance

The print entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of Homer’s early portraiture. Its acquisition underscores the museum’s interest in documenting the artist’s development from commercial illustration to fine art.