The Dinner Horn
1870 National Gallery of Art
About this artwork
This oil on canvas painting depicts a young woman in a white dress standing in a field and blowing a horn to call workers for dinner. It is a quintessential work from Homer's post-Civil War career, focusing on rural American life.
Did you know?
Winslow Homer was a self-taught artist who began his career as an illustrator for newspapers like Harper's Weekly, where he documented the Civil War. 'The Dinner Horn' reflects his transition to painting, capturing a slice of peaceful, domestic rural life that contrasts sharply with the gritty combat scenes he had previously witnessed. The painting was originally commissioned by the local schoolmaster in the town where Homer was staying, highlighting his deep connection to rural American subjects.
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The Dinner Horn
Winslow Homer, 1870
