Artwork

Skating at Boston

Skating at Boston, by Winslow Homer, 1859
Skating at Boston, by Winslow Homer, 1859

Skating at 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

To learn more about the artist who created this scene, look up Winslow Homer (American, 1836–1910).

The painting shows people ice skating on a frozen pond in Boston.
It's a winter scene with trees and buildings in the background.
The people are dressed in old-fashioned clothes and are having fun skating.

This painting is interesting because it shows everyday life in the past.
It gives us a glimpse of what people did for fun during the winter season.

To learn more about the artist who created this scene, look up Winslow Homer (American, 1836–1910).

Overview

Skating at Boston (1859) is a winter scene oil painting by Winslow Homer, depicting people ice skating on a frozen pond in Boston, with trees and old-fashioned buildings in the background.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures a moment of everyday leisure in 19th-century Boston, offering a glimpse into past winter recreational activities and societal norms through the depiction of people enjoying ice skating.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the work showcases Homer's early genre scene approach, characterized by a focus on daily life, preceding his later emphasis on broader landscape and coastal themes.

History & Provenance

Created in 1859, the painting marks a point in Homer's transition from commercial art to fine painting, reflecting his growing interest in capturing American life.

Context

Part of a broader 19th-century American art movement, Skating at Boston situates Homer among artists exploring national identity through genre scenes and landscapes.

Legacy

The painting contributes to Homer's legacy as a leading 19th-century American artist, valued for its historical insight into everyday American life during the period.

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.