Expulsion of Negroes and Abolitionists from Tremont Temple, Boston, Massachusetts on December 3, 1860

"Expulsion of Negroes and Abolitionists from Tremont Temple, Boston, Massachusetts on December 3, 1860" is a crucial historical document created by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910) and published by Harper's Weekly. Executed as a wood engraving on paper, this print captures the intense sectional conflict and racial violence tearing apart the United States on the eve of the Civil War. The scene depicts a dramatic incident where anti-abolitionist crowds forcibly ejected Black attendees and white activists, disrupting a scheduled lecture by English clergyman and abolitionist George Curtis.

As an illustrator for the widely circulated periodical, Homer functioned as a visual reporter, providing the public with immediate, journalistic access to volatile events. The composition emphasizes the chaotic struggle within the crowded hall, detailing the aggressive actions of the protesters contrasted with the resistance of those being expelled. This early work showcases Homer's keen ability to render narrative tension and social dynamics through detailed illustrative prints.

The wide circulation of this image through Harper’s Weekly made the reality of anti-slavery confrontation visible to a national audience, cementing its status as a vital cultural artifact from 1860. The prolific nature of such wood engravings means that, over time, the image has become frequently available through public domain channels for research and study. This important piece documenting mid-19th century American history is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.