What you are looking at
A man and three boys sail a small catboat at a sharp angle through choppy green water on a bright, windy day.
Why it is famous
Homer painted it between 1873 and 1876, and it became one of the best loved pictures of American life after the Civil War.
How big is Breezing Up (A Fair Wind)?
Breezing Up (A Fair Wind) measures 61.5 × 97 cm (24.2 × 38.2 in), without its frame. It is roughly the same size as the Mona Lisa.
Compare it with other paintings
Where to see it
It is at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
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More by Winslow Homer
Also at the National Gallery of Art
Frequently asked questions
Who painted Breezing Up (A Fair Wind)?
Winslow Homer painted Breezing Up (A Fair Wind) in 1873 to 1876.
Where is the Breezing Up (A Fair Wind)?
Breezing Up (A Fair Wind) is in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, United States. (West Building, Main Floor, Gallery 68.)
How big is Breezing Up (A Fair Wind)?
61.5 × 97 cm (24.2 × 38.2 in). It is roughly the same size as the Mona Lisa.
What is Breezing Up (A Fair Wind) made with?
Oil on canvas.
Sources: National Gallery of Art, Breezing Up (A Fair Wind) (1943.13.1), open data; Wikidata Q4960357; Wikipedia, "Breezing Up (A Fair Wind)". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.