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Four Boys on a Beach

Winslow Homer

1873

gouache

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Four Boys on a Beach is a 1873 gouache by Winslow Homer, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Winslow Homer
When & what style?: 1873 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows four kids sitting on a sandy beach. They’re turned away from us, wearing hats and light clothes, with one person holding a small object. Behind them, a half-built wooden structure juts out over the water, and a couple of boats rest on the shore. The loose, sketchy lines and soft colors suggest the artist was working fast, maybe outside. It feels like a quick snapshot of a moment rather than a polished scene. Next, check out watercolor to see how artists use thin, layered washes to build up light and color.