"Come!"

"Come!" by Winslow Homer is a significant example of American graphic art produced shortly after the Civil War. Created in 1869, this piece is rendered as a wood engraving, demonstrating Homer’s mastery of commercial illustration during a critical period of his career. The technique of wood engraving allowed for high-volume reproduction, making this type of print accessible to a wide audience throughout the United States.

Homer, a prolific contributor to illustrated magazines like Harper’s Weekly, frequently used this medium to capture scenes of everyday life, blending detailed realism with expressive narrative. While the specific subject of the work often involves figures in movement or interaction, its primary importance lies in its role as a mass-produced illustration, reflecting the burgeoning visual culture of the late 1860s. The dense lines and contrasting blacks and whites characteristic of the wood engraving process lend the piece a graphic immediacy and dramatic intensity.

As an important historical artifact illustrating the post-war era, the existence of many original impressions means that high-quality prints of this work are commonly found in the public domain today. This compelling piece forms part of the esteemed collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, offering valuable insight into Homer's foundational work before he transitioned fully to oil painting later in his celebrated career.