Artwork
Charles Prentice Howland
Charles Prentice Howland is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1890, this oil portrait by Winslow Homer presents a young boy named Charles Prentice Howland. The figure stands in a dimly lit interior, dressed in a black suit with a crisp white collar and a red bow tie. His short, neatly combed brown hair and serious expression focus the viewer’s attention on his direct gaze.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is rendered with restrained realism, his posture upright and hands at his sides, suggesting a formal, perhaps commemorative intent. The solemn demeanor and modest surroundings convey a sense of dignity and quiet confidence typical of late‑19th‑century portraiture.
Technique & Style
Homer employs chiaroscuro to model the boy’s form, using strong contrasts between the illuminated figure and the dark, textured background. The oil medium allows subtle gradations of tone, giving the portrait depth and a tactile quality that emphasizes the weight of the clothing and the smoothness of the skin.
History & Provenance
The work belongs to the later phase of Homer’s career, when he had already achieved prominence as a leading American painter. Though best known for marine scenes, this portrait reflects his parallel interest in studio figure painting during the 1880s and 1890s.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and illustrator, best known for his marine subjects.
