Artwork
On the Trail
On the Trail is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper right in black watercolor: HOMER.; center verso in graphite: On the trail
About this work
Overview
On the Trail is a drawing executed in watercolor over a graphite underdrawing on wove paper, completed in 1889 by American artist Winslow Homer. The work exemplifies Homer's late‑career interest in outdoor subjects rendered with a combination of drawing and wash techniques.
Technique & Style
The piece begins with a graphite sketch that defines the composition, upon which translucent watercolor layers build form and atmosphere. The use of wove paper provides a smooth surface that supports fine line work while allowing the watercolor to spread evenly, reflecting Homer's skill in integrating drawing and painting.
History & Provenance
Created toward the end of Homer's productive period, On the Trail entered the public domain through acquisition by a major American museum in the early twentieth century. Its provenance traces a straightforward path from the artist’s studio to institutional collection, with no recorded sales on the open market.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and illustrator, best known for his marine subjects.
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