“Jolly Flatboatmen in Port” is an oil-on-canvas painting created by George Caleb Bingham in 1857. This work, which is part of the Romanticism and Naïve Art (Primitivism) movements, measures 176.8 by 119.5 centimeters and is classified as a genre painting. It is currently housed in the Saint Louis Art Museum, located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
The artwork depicts a lively scene of flatboatmen reveling in a port. The central figure, elevated and joyous, waves a hat in one hand and a red handkerchief in the other, leading the festivities. Surrounding him, several other men are engaged in various activities, some playing musical instruments while others sit, converse, and relax on the deck. The composition is bathed in the warm light of the setting sun, enhancing the convivial atmosphere and drawing attention to the intricate details and expressions of the figures. The backdrop features a serene, expansive river landscape, adding to the romantic and idyllic nature of the scene.
