Boys in a Pasture 1874

Winslow Homer likely painted *Boys in a Pasture* with oil on canvas, using brushes to apply thin layers of pigment. These are traditional art materials, but Homer's focus on rural labor brings in a social dimension. The textured surface of the canvas is evident in the thick brushstrokes of the grass and clothing. Note the way in which the clothing reveals the traces of wear and tear from physical work. There's a lot of attention to the details of how the cloth is arranged, creating a sense of the relationship between the boys' bodies, their clothes, and the environment. The choice of subject matter, and the emphasis on humble work, suggests that Homer saw value in the everyday experience of rural life. Ultimately, *Boys in a Pasture* challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft, elevating the labor and experience of rural communities to a place worthy of artistic attention.