The Flirt
1874 National Gallery of Art
About this artwork
An oil on canvas painting depicting four boys in a small sailboat named 'Flirt' on the water. It is a signature example of Homer's focus on maritime life and children during his post-Civil War period.
Did you know?
Winslow Homer spent the summer of 1874 in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where he observed the daily lives of local sailors and the children who grew up around the docks. The title 'Flirt' refers to the name painted on the boat's stern, which highlights the artist's keen interest in the vernacular details of maritime leisure. This work captures a quintessential American scene, emphasizing the independence and simple joys of youth near the sea.
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The Flirt
Winslow Homer, 1874
