The Wilderness Guide (by Winslow Homer) Playing Cards

This design features a watercolor painting by the American artist Winslow Homer (1836–1910). It shows a solitary figure, a hunter or guide, relaxing in a wilderness landscape with a pipe in his hand. The man is resting on rocks with his canoe, in front of a large lake. There is a forest of trees in the background. The painting captures a moment of quiet contemplation, as well as the ruggedness and solitude of the American spirit. The figure of the guide is positioned slightly off-centre, emphasising the vastness of the surrounding wilderness and creating a sense of isolation and self-reliance. The entire scene speaks to the romanticised idea of the American frontier and the allure of an untamed landscape. The original artwork was painted in 1895.