Artwork

The Drive in Central Park, New York, September, 1860

The Drive in Central Park, New York, September, 1860, by Winslow Homer, 1860
The Drive in Central Park, New York, September, 1860, by Winslow Homer, 1860

The Drive in Central Park, New York, September, 1860 is a print by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Drive in Central Park, New York, September, 1860 is a painting by Winslow Homer, created in 1860. It captures a leisure scene in Central Park during the mid-19th century.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a carriage ride, highlighting a moment of recreation among the upper class in New York City during the 1860s. It reflects the social and recreational activities of the time.

Technique & Style

Originally trained as a commercial illustrator, Homer's transition to oil painting is evident in the work's use of the medium's dense, heavy textures, characteristic of his early painterly approach.

History & Provenance

Created in 1860, the painting's early history and ownership are not detailed in available information, though it is attributed to Homer's shift from illustration to oil painting.

Context

The work is set against the backdrop of Central Park's early years, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux from 1858. It captures the park's role as a new urban leisure space for New York's elite.

Legacy

As one of Homer's early oil paintings, it marks his transition towards more renowned landscape and marine subjects, influencing his subsequent artistic trajectory.

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.