Sheep 1878

Winslow Homer made this sketch of sheep using graphite and Chinese white on brown paper. While Homer is known for his later marine paintings, sketches like this offer us insight into the artistic process and social context of 19th-century American art. In this period, rapid industrialization was changing the landscape, and artists often turned to rural scenes, idealizing agricultural life. The choice of sheep is interesting here, in that they suggest a sense of pastoral tranquility, but also carry economic associations, relating to wool production and trade. Homer's use of the sketch format might reflect the increasing accessibility of art education, and the growing market for smaller, informal works. To fully understand the meaning of this work, it would be necessary to research Homer’s life, the art market of the time, and the broader social and economic trends that influenced artistic production. The history of art helps us to understand the complex relationship between images and society.