Two Scouts

Two Scouts by Winslow Homer, executed in 1887, is a prime example of the artist's late-career mastery of watercolor. Classified as a drawing, this American work was created using watercolor over graphite on wove paper, a technique that allowed Homer to capture instantaneous moments with clarity and atmosphere. The period spanning 1876 to 1900 was a transformative time for the artist; having previously focused on oils and earlier subjects, Homer increasingly utilized the portable and spontaneous nature of watercolor to depict scenes of man confronting or traversing nature, often set in coastal or wilderness regions.

The piece portrays the two titular figures, scouts, whose focused stance suggests intense observation or strategic movement within an undefined, rugged environment. Homer was renowned for treating his subjects—whether hunters, sailors, or observers—with a directness that emphasized their skill and independence rather than offering sentimental narratives. This powerful immediacy is captured through the application of transparent washes of color, which allow the initial graphite sketch to anchor the composition and define the figures’ forms.

The spontaneity evident in the work reflects the changing sensibilities of American art toward the end of the nineteenth century, prioritizing sensory experience over strict academic finish. This work, alongside Homer's other significant watercolors, demonstrates why he remains a pivotal figure in the art history of the 1876 to 1900 period. The piece resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., where it contributes to the study of Two Scouts and the artist’s prolific output. Due to the artwork’s age and historical significance, high-quality digital reproductions and fine art prints are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring Homer’s visual legacy is widely accessible.