The Aquarial Gardens 1859

"The Aquarial Gardens" (1859), an illustration by Winslow Homer, depicts a bustling public aquarium in Boston. The detailed engraving, notable for its use of line work and shading, showcases the interior of a circular room lined with glass tanks filled with marine life. The scene is alive with visitors, creating a sense of movement and curiosity. This work, small in size but impactful in its depiction of a popular 19th-century attraction, highlights Homer’s early interest in capturing everyday life in his art.