Artwork

The Fourth of July in Tompkins Square, New York - "The Sogers Are Coming"

The Fourth of July in Tompkins Square, New York - "The Sogers Are Coming" is a print by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1868, this oil print by Winslow Homer portrays a bustling Fourth of July celebration in Tompkins Square, a public park in New York City. The composition gathers numerous figures engaged in holiday activities, offering a snapshot of urban leisure during the post‑Civil War era.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures ordinary citizens gathering to mark Independence Day, emphasizing communal festivity and the democratic spirit of the young nation. By focusing on a crowded park rather than formal ceremony, the work reflects the everyday participation of New Yorkers in national observance.

Technique & Style

Although Homer is renowned for his marine paintings, this piece demonstrates his skill in rendering dense social settings. Executed in oil with a fluid, loosely applied brushwork, the print balances detailed figuration with a sense of movement, characteristic of his approach to both watercolor and oil media.

History & Provenance

Homer, largely self‑taught and initially a commercial illustrator, produced this work early in his transition to fine art. The print entered public collections in the early twentieth century, reflecting growing scholarly interest in his depictions of American life beyond his later seascapes.