Winslow Homer

Homer made numerous compositions inspired by the outdoor recreation and scenery surrounding the North Woods Club in the Adirondacks. Dogs, here shown waiting in a boat, were trained to locate deer and drive them into the water where they would eventually tire, and drown.

Homer used multiple layers of russets, browns, and greens to describe the autumn trees, and thinner layers to suggest light reflecting on the boat. A masterful reflection on the water was made by scraping and repainting. He marked the coats of the dogs with wet puddling, and sponged out one figure-probably a person-on the far side of the boat.

One of the most enduring sources of Homer's inspiration was the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. This work is one of many hunt subjects. Five dogs are crowded into a boat, awaiting command or perhaps savoring a rest, presumably from deer hunting. The painting shows Homer's technical skills at full maturity. Using thin washes built to a variety of layers, he sponged and scraped the paper to create the final effect. Note traces of the removal of a sixth dog in the upper left of the boat.