Blue Beard Tableau: Fatima Enters the Forbidden Court; What She Sees There; Disposition of the Bodies (Invisible to the Spectators) (from "Harper's Bazar," Vol. I)

"Blue Beard Tableau: Fatima Enters the Forbidden Court; What She Sees There; Disposition of the Bodies (Invisible to the Spectators) (from "Harper's Bazar," Vol. I)" by Winslow Homer, executed in 1868, is a significant example of the artist's productive early career illustrating for prominent American periodicals. This detailed wood engraving was published in the inaugural volume of Harper's Bazar, capturing a dramatically staged scene based on Charles Perrault's dark fairy tale of Bluebeard. Homer, at this time, was widely recognized for his ability to translate complex narrative and theatrical action into effective reproductive prints suitable for mass circulation.

The composition centers on the moment of horrifying discovery. Although the title specifies that the "Disposition of the Bodies" is unseen by the viewer, Homer focuses on the reaction of the central woman, Fatima. The highly detailed rendering of the figures, particularly their heads and facial expressions, conveys the psychological tension and terror inherent in the forbidden court. Homer masterfully utilizes the high-contrast restrictions of the wood engraving medium to create deep shadows, emphasizing the dramatic suspense of the narrative. The inclusion of multiple men and women within the composition roots the print in its context as a tableau-style illustration, designed to evoke a stage play.

Classification as a print highlights Homer’s foundational skill in producing illustrations before he transitioned fully to fine art painting later in his career. This influential wood engraving is preserved within the distinguished collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a widely circulated periodical illustration from the 19th century, this important work documenting the history of American illustration is now frequently accessible to researchers and the general public through public domain archives.