Crossing The River - Trapper Trying Its Depth, Alfred Jacob Miller, between 1858 and 1860

When the caravan approached a river, "a trusty and experienced man is. Selected whose business it is to cross the river and try its depths, and then return by a different route, looking out [for] the shallowest parts and marking them in his mind's eyes as a trail for the company. " if the river was not shallow enough for the wagons to cross, everything had to be unloaded and bull boats- the wagon beds covered with buffalo hides- had to be constructed and all the caravan's goods floated across. Date: between 1858 and 1860. Place of creation: USA. Dimensions: height: 22.2 cm (8.7 in); width: 31.2 cm (12.2 in). Medium: watercolor on paper. Collection: Walters Art Museum. Alfred Jacob Miller - Crossing The River - Trapper Trying Its Depth - Walters 371940119