Winslow Hommer (1836–1910) ‘Rural Landscape’, 1887

Watercolor and gouache on paper. A landscape composition depicting an idyllic rural scene. The composition is dominated in the center by a rectangular stone tower or rustic building with a sloping roof of orange ceramic tiles and a small wooden structure or balcony projecting from its facade. To the left of the tower is a lower structure resembling a well or a small exposed brick wall in reddish tones. The surroundings are lush vegetation with large trees boasting green canopies and shrubs that envelop the scene. In the middle right, another building or rural dwelling peeks out from the foliage. The foreground shows an unpaved, sandy path or field in ochre and grayish tones, while the background opens up to a clear sky in shades of yellow and pale blue.

It is notable for the delicate application of the washes, the tonal richness of the greens, and the subtle mastery of natural light on the architectural surfaces. The color palette is dominated by organic and earthy tones: deep greens, ochres, browns, and reds in the buildings, beneath a sky with subtle yellowish and grayish gradations that suggest the filtered light of a cloudy afternoon. Homer takes advantage of the inherent transparency of watercolor to allow the paper's luminosity to emerge in the areas of the road and sky, capturing the natural light effects of the outdoors in a direct and atmospheric way. Signed and dated "Homer/1887" in the lower right corner. There are some minor losses to the paper.

Size: 36 x 24.5 cm