The artwork “Autumn” is a portrait created by the artist Winslow Homer in the year 1877. This piece falls within the Realism art movement, which strives to represent subjects truthfully, without artificiality and avoiding artistic conventions, or implausible, exotic, and supernatural elements. “Autumn” is thus characteristically representational, seeking to portray a scene or individual with fidelity to real life.
The portrait depicts a standing female figure, centrally positioned and clothed in a period costume that suggests a sense of refinement and elegance. Her attire, consisting of a dark jacket and a long, ruffled skirt that drapes to the ground, is adorned with intricate lace and embroidery, indicating a touch of sophistication. A wide-brimmed hat, adorned with what appears to be feathers or foliage, sits atop her head, contributing to the autumnal theme suggested by the title.
Around the figure, the background is rich with warm, muted earth tones, featuring splotches of red, orange, and brown that evoke the feeling of fall foliage. Fallen leaves are visible at the feet of the subject, reinforcing the seasonal atmosphere. The subject’s gaze is slightly averted, and her expression is contemplative, suggesting an internal dialogue or a moment of introspection. The painting captures a quiet elegance and a subdued yet resonant harmony with nature, typical of Homer’s often narrative-rich and emotionally evocative works.
