Cutting a Figure

The work Cutting a Figure is a detailed wood engraving on paper created by Winslow Homer, the prominent American artist and illustrator, in 1871. This print was commissioned and published by Every Saturday, an influential illustrated weekly magazine popular in the United States during the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. Homer frequently contributed illustrations documenting contemporary American life to periodicals, establishing himself as a keen observer of the era's changing social dynamics.

Executed during a critical period of his artistic development, the piece demonstrates Homer’s advanced skill in graphic art and composition, translating complex social scenes into the demanding technical medium of wood engraving. Homer was keenly observant of American leisure and social rituals, often capturing scenes of daily life that define the culture of the United States in the late 19th century. Although the title specifically refers to a stylish maneuver performed while ice skating, the overall impression is that of a lively social gathering, reflecting the growing importance of structured public recreation.

As a fine example of 19th-century illustration, this work falls within a significant period of American graphic arts, where such reproductive prints allowed for the widespread dissemination of imagery and narrative across the nation. The high quality and historical value of these illustrations ensure that prints of this type remain essential primary sources for studying American history. This valuable illustration by Homer is preserved in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, making the image widely available, often entering the public domain due to its age and original publication history.