Fly Fishing, Saranac Lake

Fly Fishing, Saranac Lake, created by Winslow Homer American, 1835-1910, in 1889, is a sophisticated example of American printmaking from the late nineteenth century. Classified as a print, the work utilizes a complex combination of intaglio techniques designed to achieve a rich tonal range often associated with painting. The process involved etching and aquatint, which were then significantly refined through lavis, stopping-out, scraping, and burnishing. This meticulous approach allowed Homer to manipulate the highlights and shadows, lending a highly textured and atmospheric quality to the scene. The print itself is rendered on moderately thick, smooth, cream simulated Japanese vellum, emphasizing the delicate detail of the composition.

Homer frequently turned to subjects drawn from the rugged American landscape and themes of outdoor life, echoing the cultural fascination with nature and leisure in the United States during this era. The subject of fly fishing connects this piece directly to the artist’s prolific output concerning the northern woods, particularly in the Adirondacks region, where Homer spent considerable time during the 1880s. The technical mastery displayed in the etching highlights Homer’s reputation as a highly adaptable visual artist, excelling equally in paintings and fine art prints. This important work is held within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a hallmark piece of late 19th-century American art, reproductions of this artwork are frequently found within public domain collections today.