Casting, Number Two 1894

Winslow Homer created this watercolor, Casting, Number Two, during the late nineteenth century, a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization in the United States. Here we see a solitary figure fishing, a scene that seems to reflect a longing for simpler times. Homer, like many artists of his era, was interested in depicting the relationship between humanity and nature. But his focus on the leisure activities of the upper middle class also speaks to the social stratification of the time. Fishing, in this context, becomes less about survival and more about recreation, a privilege afforded to those with the means to escape the city and connect with nature. Understanding Homer's work requires us to consider the social and economic conditions that shaped his vision, looking at historical records, literature, and other cultural artifacts to understand his place within the broader context of American society.