Scene in Union Square, New York, on a March Day

1860

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Genre Scene

Dominant colour

Scene in Union Square, New York, on a March Day is a 1860 by Winslow Homer, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Winslow Homer
When & what style?: 1860 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a busy street scene in New York. Two men stand in the center: one is a policeman holding a notebook, the other is a frantic older guy waving his arms. Around them, people are scattered—some walking, one sweeping the ground, another sitting on a bench. The drawing is all in black and white, with loose, quick lines that make it feel lively but rough. The policeman and the older man are joking about a lost hat, which is a small but funny detail. The artist used simple lines to show movement and chaos, making the scene feel real and fast-paced. If you like this style, check out Realism to see more works like this.