The Bathers
1868 Vanderbilt Museum of Art
About this artwork
This wood engraving depicts two young women in Victorian-era bathing costumes walking along a beach, with other bathers in the water in the background. It is a classic example of Homer's illustrative work from his period as a magazine illustrator.
Did you know?
During the mid-19th century, Victorian bathing culture was quite restrictive, with women wearing heavy, modest outfits specifically designed for the beach. This image reflects the growing popularity of seaside resorts in America, which transitioned from being strictly for health benefits to becoming centers for leisure and social recreation for the middle class. Winslow Homer’s keen observation of everyday American life turned scenes like this into iconic representations of the era's social norms.
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The Bathers
Winslow Homer, 1868
