French Farmyard 1867

Winslow Homer's "French Farmyard" (1867) depicts a young child, likely a girl, playing in a French farmyard. The scene, painted in oil on canvas, is characterized by a sense of quiet solitude. The child is positioned in the foreground, engaged with a toy. The surrounding farmyard, with its crumbling walls and haystacks, provides a rustic backdrop. The scene is bathed in a soft, diffused light, casting long shadows and adding to the peaceful ambiance. This work is considered a prime example of Homer's early exploration of rural scenes, which he captured with great detail and sensitivity.