The Four Leaf Clover

The Four Leaf Clover is a charming piece which was completed by American painter and illustrator, Winslow Homer, in 1873. It resides today within the permanent collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, USA.

The composition features a young girl sitting outside in a private garden, whilst looking towards an open window. She holds a four leaf clover in her hand, hence the title of this piece, and appears to be waiting patiently for a friend to join her. Homer incorporates some stunning detail into this piece, with a whole myriad of plants climbing up the wall beside her. Most are delivered with simple dabs of paint, but the overall display is a real delight. The girl herself is wearing a smart outfit which suggests her to be from a successful family, as she sports a cream coloured hat with black embroidery. Her dress is long, and white, with some slight shadows cast upon it from the right hand side. She also wears some bright orange stockings which match the brighter tones in some of the flowers. Even the brickwork on the wall is completed in a relaxed manner as Homer produces an expressive piece, that will remind some of the work of the French Impressionists of around this period.

The Four Leaf Clover is listed as 63cm by 79cm when including the frame. It was bequested to the institution in Detroit by an individual named, Robert H. Tannahill. At the time of writing is was out on permanent display and one would expect that to be the case most of the time because of the beauty of this piece, but also its connection to such a famous American artist. Although he is more famous today for his seascapes rather than depictions such as this, he is known to have achieved success in a variety of genres, particularly in the earlier part of his career. It was not until around a decade after he completed The Four Leaf Clover that Homer would spend so much of his time on the seascape genre, where he would travel around the Caribbean for several winters whilst also working from near his studio in Maine, USA.

The institute itself serves Homer particularly well, featuring a good number of artworks from his career within their collection. They have a number of etchings here which helped the artist to sell more copies of his individual works around the country. This provided him with additional income, whilst also connecting more strongly with the public who might be able to afford these reproductions. As a skilled illustrator, a move into etching would be no great surprise and this was an artist who consistently liked to try out new mediums in any case. Otherwise he may have chosen to remain as a commercial illustrator, rather than chancing his luck as a professional painter. His decision was brave and entirely successful, as his legacy helped shape the direction of American art for several decades after his death in the early 20th century.