Sun and Clouds 1882

Winslow Homer created this watercolor painting, Sun and Clouds, during a period when American art began reflecting a growing interest in everyday life. Here, we see women on the shore, perhaps awaiting the return of fishing boats. Homer, working in the late 19th century, often focused on such scenes of rural life. The grey, turbulent sky and active brushstrokes reflect an interest in capturing the mood and atmosphere of the natural world. This was a departure from earlier American art which focused on portraiture, historical, or allegorical subjects. Homer's focus on the common folk suggests a growing democratic impulse in American art and culture at the time. His technical skill with watercolor—a medium often associated with amateur art—also challenged existing hierarchies within the art world. To fully appreciate Homer’s work, we might look to periodicals and other illustrated media from the time. These sources help us understand the social values and everyday experiences that informed not only Homer’s art, but the broader cultural landscape of the era.