Artwork
Waiting for Calls on New Year's Day
Waiting for Calls on New Year's Day is a print by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1869 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Waiting for Calls on New Year's Day is an 1869 oil painting by American artist Winslow Homer, depicting a scene of women awaiting visitors on New Year's Day in a lavishly furnished 19th-century room.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures the anticipation and possibly the monotony of women waiting for social calls on a traditional holiday. Their varied postures and expressions convey a sense of waiting, with one woman's boredom particularly evident.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, Homer leverages the medium's density to create a bright, yet nuanced interior. The play of light through curtains and the detailed rendering of period clothing and furnishings reflect Homer's Realist approach.
History & Provenance
Created in 1869, during Homer's transition from illustration to focused oil painting, the work is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Context
The piece offers a glimpse into 19th-century social customs and domestic interiors, aligning with the Realist movement's emphasis on everyday life.
Artist & collection
Artist
Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and illustrator, best known for his marine subjects.
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