Use this fast-paced game to explore Winslow Homer’s art and see how his paintings chronicle America’s post-Civil War society.

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Throughout his career Winslow Homer documented the lives of average Americans in a straightforward, spontaneous manner. He especially focused on the people who lived and worked on the edges of the sea. His distinct brand of realism advances democratic values and offers a compelling view of 19th century America.

Big questions to consider

• Do Homer’s paintings offer unique insights into historical events?
• In the shadow of poignant events, does Homer’s realism become politically charged?
• Are Homer’s paintings straightforward transcriptions of everyday life or, is he a subtle social critic, exposing the complexities and tensions in contemporary society?

Historical events and trends depicted in Homer’s art

• Technological advancements that influenced the Civil War
• The changing role of women in society
• The impact of Reconstruction on emancipated slaves
• The harrowing existence fishing the coast and the Grand Banks
• The rise of nature tourism
• The encroachment of commercial hunting and logging on the wilderness

Visual literacy skills developed in this game

• Identify historical artifacts
• Read a painting’s narrative
• Recognize a media’s inherent qualities
• Appreciate how to visually express emotions
• Interpret an artist’s interests and outlook
• Track an artist’s artistic development

Related Resources

• Winslow Homer’s The Fog Warning is in the Boston Museum of Fine Art’s collection. See the website for detailed information. Select the image to magnify.
• This interdisciplinary teacher’s resource offers a range of teaching moves and language for analyzing The Fog Warning.
• This interactive puzzle explores Homer’s life and the events that inspired him to paint The Fog Warning. Special attention is given to how Homer’s realism advances democratic values and offers a compelling view of American history.
• This game-show format reviews key learnings from “Puzzled by The Fog Warning?” in a friendly, team-building competition.
• This game-based art survey analyzes the art of Winslow Homer and eight other 19^th century realist painters.
• This art-based writing lesson use The Fog Warning as mentor art for teaching the value of thoughtful titles.
• This inquiry study uses The Fog Warning as a springboard to explore the harrowing existence of fishermen off the Grand Banks.