The artwork titled “American Hunting Scenes – ‘An Early Start'” is a genre painting created by Currier and Ives, and it belongs to the Romanticism art movement. The painting portrays a scene of early morning preparations for a hunting expedition in the American wilderness.
The artwork depicts two men and their dog near the edge of a tranquil body of water amidst a forest backdrop. One man, dressed in rustic hunting attire, stands ashore with his rifle in hand, appearing to call out, possibly signaling to another group across the water. He is flanked by a loyal hunting dog, actively sniffing around. The second man is in the process of boarding a canoe, steadying it with an oar. In the background, another canoe with two figures can be seen paddling away, setting the scene for what appears to be an early morning hunt. The lush, towering trees, serene water, and misty mountains in the distance contribute to the picturesque and adventurous atmosphere, emblematic of the Romanticism movement.