The Trailing Fog

The progressive lightening of shades and rippling reflections of the figures in this image demonstrate Frank Wilcox’s mastery of watercolor. Spots of exposed paper along the lefthand side appear to mimic sea spray while a blur of wash on the right suggests a thickening bank of fog. Likely inspired by his trips to Canada and Maine, this scene may depict kelp gatherers. While elsewhere in the world seaweed was collected in bulk for its chemical properties, Maine kelp gatherers used it as fertilizer.