Winslow Homer

Homer’s technical mastery is in full force on this sheet, to the extent that it proves difficult to discern with the naked eye just how he achieved this astounding array of atmospheric effects. He used wet-on-wet washes to cover large areas of the sheet. These freehand areas create positive shapes for clouds in the grayish-blue sky. Multiple washes in beige, brown, green, and russet form the foreground pasture. Two perfectly aligned layers of watercolor create the silhouetted gesturing plowman behind the main figure as he descends the hill.