Flower Garden and Bungalow, Bermuda

Flower Garden and Bungalow, Bermuda, created by Winslow Homer in 1899, is a superb example of the artist’s late-career commitment to the watercolor medium. Executed with precise application of watercolor and graphite on off-white wove paper, the piece captures a scene characteristic of the tropical environments Homer explored late in life. Homer, an influential artist from the United States, was celebrated for his ability to translate the effects of brilliant sunlight and atmosphere, particularly during his visits to locations like Bermuda and the Bahamas.

The composition centers on vibrant gardens surrounding a light-colored bungalow, allowing the artist to explore the dramatic interplay between the lush green and flowering landscapes and the architecture. Homer masterfully employs the inherent transparency of watercolor to suggest the intensity of the Caribbean sun, contrasting the dense tropical foliage with the bright, reflective surfaces of the building. The visible graphite lines beneath the paint hint at the rapid, observational sketching that underpinned his working method, underscoring the spontaneity that characterizes his mature style.

This work captures a specific moment in late nineteenth-century American art when watercolor was elevated from a preparatory medium to a serious form of artistic expression. This significant piece from Homer’s oeuvre is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its historical importance and age, high-quality prints and digital reproductions of studies like Flower Garden and Bungalow, Bermuda are frequently accessible through public domain archives, allowing broad appreciation of this key work in American landscapes.