Who painted Husking Party Finding the Red Ears?

Husking Party Finding the Red Ears was painted by Winslow Homer in 1857.

Where can I see Husking Party Finding the Red Ears?

Husking Party Finding the Red Ears is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Husking Party Finding the Red Ears?

Husking Party Finding the Red Ears is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Husking Party Finding the Red Ears

Winslow Homer , 1857

Husking Party Finding the Red Ears is a print by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

This painting shows a group of kids helping on a farm. They toss corn husks into the air while a woman in a red shawl watches.

Homer painted this when he was just 21. It’s one of his earliest works, made before he became known for Civil War scenes.

Look up Winslow Homer (American, 1836–1910) to see how he changed over time.

Overview

Created in 1857 when Winslow Homer was twenty‑one, this early print captures a lively farm scene in which children toss corn husks into the air while a woman in a red shawl observes. The work belongs to a series in which the young artist recorded agricultural labor and communal rituals of mid‑nineteenth‑century America.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a group of youngsters engaged in the husking of corn, a seasonal activity that doubles as a communal celebration. The presence of the red‑cloaked woman suggests a supervisory or ceremonial role, highlighting the intertwining of work and festivity in rural life.

Technique & Style

Although executed as a print, the piece anticipates Homer’s later, more robust oil technique, displaying a dense handling of line and a strong sense of volume. The rendering of movement—husks flying and figures in mid‑action—reflects the artist’s early interest in genre scenes of everyday American labor.

History & Provenance

Produced during Homer’s formative years as an illustrator, the work predates his well‑known Civil War illustrations. It forms part of a broader body of work documenting agricultural practices, created before the artist’s shift toward maritime and war subjects.

Context

The mid‑1850s saw a growing fascination with rural American customs, and illustrators like Homer responded by depicting the rhythms of farm life. This print aligns with contemporary genre paintings that celebrated the dignity and communal aspects of agricultural work.