Gathering Berries

Gathering Berries by Lagarde; Winslow Homer, executed in 1874, is a significant example of American graphic arts produced during the prolific period of 1851 to 1875. The piece is classified as a wood engraving, a print medium that Homer utilized extensively throughout the mid-to-late nineteenth century for publication in popular periodicals. The wood engraving technique involved carving the design into the end-grain of a block, allowing for exceptional linear detail and strong visual contrast, essential qualities for mass reproduction in the era preceding widespread photographic printing.

The subject matter reflects Homer's enduring interest in scenes of rustic labor and pastoral domesticity, often depicting women and children engaged in seasonal activities. Scenes like Gathering Berries offered contemporary audiences a quiet, idealized glimpse into rural life during the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. The work demonstrates Homer’s skill in composition, utilizing light and shadow to define the figures and the textures of the natural setting, moving beyond simple illustration toward fine art. As an influential American artist, Homer helped define the visual culture of the time by consistently focusing on the seemingly ordinary events of society.

While Homer’s oil paintings are widely known, his prolific output of prints and engravings provides crucial insight into his evolving artistic vision and commercial reach. This accessible medium allowed the artist’s work to reach a broad demographic, helping to popularize his distinct style across the nation. The execution of this wood engraving, typical of the 1870s, offers scholars and historians precise documentation of the techniques used in the era’s illustration industry. This important piece is held in the prestigious collection of the National Gallery of Art, contributing to the institution’s comprehensive holdings of historical American prints. Because the copyright for the original print has long expired, high-quality reproductions of this artwork are often available within the public domain, ensuring continued study and widespread accessibility.