Artwork
Women Working in a Field
Women Working in a Field is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Winslow Homer created this oil sketch in late 1866 while staying in the French countryside near Paris. The work captures three women bent over a parched field, their skirts lifted as they gather the harvest under a clear, bright sky. The composition is informal and appears to be a rapid study rather than a polished final piece.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents laboring women whose faces are turned away, emphasizing the anonymity of agricultural toil. Their hidden expressions and hands immersed in the grain highlight the physical demands of harvest work, offering a rare glimpse into female labor within Homer’s largely male‑focused oeuvre.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the sketch reflects Homer’s exposure to the Barbizon school’s plein‑air approach. Loose brushwork and a limited palette convey the cracked earth and stark light, while the quick, gestural handling suggests an on‑site observation rather than studio refinement.
History & Provenance
Homer embarked on a year‑long study trip to France in December 1866, dividing his time between Paris and the village of Cernay‑la‑Ville in Picardy. The work was likely painted during his stays in the rural area, marking one of the few French‑produced pieces in his early career.
Context
During the 1860s Homer was transitioning from his earlier Civil War illustrations to a broader interest in everyday life and landscape. While most of his celebrated works depict men, soldiers, or maritime scenes, this sketch stands out for its focus on women engaged in strenuous field work, reflecting a broader social reality of the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and illustrator, best known for his marine subjects.
