A Winter-Morning, - Shovelling Out

The work titled "A Winter-Morning, - Shovelling Out" was produced in 1871 by George A. Avery and Winslow Homer. This piece is classified as a wood engraving print, a demanding graphic technique where the image is carved into a block of end-grain wood, allowing for high-volume reproduction. This medium was central to American visual culture during the period of 1851 to 1875, particularly through widely circulated illustrated magazines. Homer, already establishing himself as a key figure in American visual reporting, frequently supplied designs for these publications, depicting scenes of daily life and labor with immediacy and realism.

The subject matter captures a common event in the northern states: individuals engaged in the arduous task of clearing heavy snow. Such honest depictions of labor and the mundane reality of everyday existence were highly valued by the post-Civil War American public, contrasting sharply with the academic history paintings of prior eras. Homer’s artistic skill is evident in the dynamic composition and the effective use of stark contrast inherent to the wood engraving process. The technique emphasizes the deep shadows and the brilliant white texture of the snow, lending the scene a powerful atmospheric quality.

As an important surviving example of graphic art from the 1870s, the work is held within the esteemed collections of the National Gallery of Art. This print serves as a crucial document of the technical advancements and shifting aesthetic priorities of the American press in the late 19th century. Due to its age and significance, high-resolution prints of this historic image are often available for educational and non-commercial use, placing the original artwork often within the public domain. This piece ensures the preservation of this early moment in Homer’s significant career development.