Winslow Homer concluded the painting entitled Fishing in 1878. The artist used watercolor and gouache over paper to create this simple scene of two children fishing. Homer began working with watercolor painting in the early 1870s and quickly mastered the craft – ultimately building his fame as an artist of this medium. He started his career as a commercial illustrator and worked as an on-location artist during the Civil War, portraying dense scenes of American history. During the beginning of his career, Homer mostly worked with oil painting and woodcut prints, a technique used to publish illustrations in magazines and books.

The use of watercolor was an excellent match to Homer’s technique of painting outdoors, as it is a more accessible material to carry and handle in improvised locations – compared to oil on canvas. The American painter had a similar working method from the Impressionists, although one was not influenced by the other. By painting in what the French called en plein air, the artist was able to experience the surroundings and capture the effects of the sunlight upon the landscape and figures. Homer was able to capture many watercolor styles and techniques during his artistic career, varying from realistic portrayals, to more modern approaches.

The period after the Civil War had the United States finally at peace and a more optimistic feeling was in the air. Most artists felt this and included the image of children in their work, representing innocence and nostalgia of simpler times. Homer’s paintings often depicted scenes of rural America with women enjoying leisure, children enjoying nature and couples courting. The artist’s view of nature was harmonious and peaceful, a belief that changed drastically over the next decade.

In Fishing, the artist represented a silent scene in a dark atmosphere. Homer’s depiction of lighting is curious in this particular painting, as he chose to highlight the two children with a bright light over them and vibrant colors, opposing the overall dark surroundings. It is possible that Homer painted the landscape while on location and added the figures later in his studio, but historians have little information about the artist’s personal view of his work. Besides the dark tree branches and thick green vegetation around the central figures, the children have a blank expression on their face, giving this painting a substantial atmosphere.