On the Hill

Artist Winslow Homer (1836 - 1910)

Date1878

MediumWatercolor on paper

Dimensions8 1/2 x 10 7/8 in. (21.6 x 27.6 cm)
Framed: 17 1/4 in. × 19 1/2 in. × 1 in.

ClassificationsWatercolor

Credit LinePromised Gift to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas

Signedl.r.: Homer

On View

Not on view

Label TextWinslow Homer spent the summer of 1878 at Houghton Farm, the country retreat of Lawson Valentine, a business partner of the artist's brother. The idyllic location inspired Homer to create a series of watercolors recording the rural outdoor activities of a cast of youngsters whom he observed as they worked at a variety of chores, watched the flocks, or quietly chatted as they do in this painting, On the Hill.

Homer had been using the watercolor medium regularly since 1873, when he had explored similar subjects of children at play in Gloucester, Massachusetts. His technique involved the masterful pairing of light-filled color with a strong sense of linear design. The positive critical reception of these watercolors encouraged Homer to continue exploring the potential of the medium. Eventually, his mastery of watercolor would bring him lasting fame.
Inscribedverso, in pencil, l.c.: TVAR Museum Plexi 4-7-08
Markingsrecto, on frame, l.c.: WINSLOW HOMER / 1836-1910
on underside of frame, l.l.: 44
verso, c.l.: THE / HUDSON / RIVER / MUSEUM / 511 WARBURTON AVENUE / TREVOR PARK-ON-HUDSON / YONKERS, NEW YORK 10701 / Art in Westchester / Sept. 24 - Nov. 2, 1969 / #29 Winslow Homer / On the Hill / watercolor, 8-1/2 x 10-7/8" / Guennol Collection / L69.31.2
verso, c.: National Gallery of Art / Washington, D.C. / Exhibition: WINSLOW HOMER WATERCOLORS / Date: 2 March - 11 May 1986 Cat. #44 / Artist: WINSLOW HOMER / Title: On the Hill / Lender: Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley / Martin
verso, in pencil, l.l.: WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART / 945 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10021 / Artist Winslow Homer / Title On the Hill / Date 1878 Catalogue No. 86 / Lender Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin / Exhibition WINSLOW HOMER / APRIL 3 - JUNE 3, 1973 / D
verso, l.c.: 1512
verso, in pencil, l.c.: Norton Gall of Art / Crate No. / [illegible] / 3 Right / USE BALL POINT PEN
verso, in red pen, l.l.: S.L. 59.56.2 95 / (Alastair B. Martin) / "Guennol Coll"
verso, c.r.: MARTHA PARRISH & / JAMES REINISH, INC. / 25 EAST 71 STREET / NEW YORK, NY 10021 / WINSLOW HOMER / On the Hill, 1878 / Watercolor on paper / 8 1/2 x 10 7/8 inches
verso, l.c.: [illegible] / 1512
verso, l.r.: G.C.