Canoe with Three Men 1897

Winslow Homer created this pencil sketch, "Canoe with Three Men," during a time of shifting cultural attitudes towards nature and outdoor recreation. Homer, like many artists of his era, turned to the wilderness as a space for adventure, and an escape from industrialization. But, who was invited to participate in this narrative? The sketch shows three figures in a canoe, their backs turned, gliding through calm waters. There is an emphasis on the experience of leisure. Absent, are any signs of labor or societal unrest. Homer's work often romanticizes the relationship between people and the natural world. What gets lost, however, are the complex histories of land ownership and the displacement of indigenous communities. While Homer's skill is evident, it's important to reflect on the narratives of exploration and adventure that often overshadow the lives and experiences of those who have been historically marginalized.