Who painted Waiting for Calls on New Year's Day?

Waiting for Calls on New Year's Day was painted by Winslow Homer in 1869.

Where can I see Waiting for Calls on New Year's Day?

Waiting for Calls on New Year's Day is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Waiting for Calls on New Year's Day?

Waiting for Calls on New Year's Day is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Waiting for Calls on New Year's Day

Winslow Homer , 1869

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.

Accession no.: 1942.1413
Credit line: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

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.