Green Apples

Green Apples by Winslow Homer is a notable example of 19th-century American printmaking, executed in 1868. This work is a detailed wood engraving, a medium Homer frequently employed during the immediate post-Civil War era while contributing illustrations to widely circulated periodicals such as Harper’s Weekly. Wood engraving requires the artist to cut directly into the dense end-grain of a block, allowing for precise, fine lines and complex tonal effects suitable for large-scale mechanical reproduction. Homer's mastery of the technique allowed him to translate the clarity and directness seen in his later paintings into a highly accessible format.

Unlike many of the artist’s contemporary genre scenes documenting soldiers and children in the United States, this particular image focuses on a simple, intimate still life composition. The subject matter emphasizes a focused realism characteristic of Homer’s emerging artistic style during the 1860s, predating his focus on oil painting and watercolor. This type of print reflects the commercial demands and widespread aesthetic tastes of the time, where illustration was the primary means of visual communication to the public.

As a significant piece of American graphic art, this print provides valuable insight into the artist’s commercial output before his shift toward independent studio practice. The work demonstrates how Homer utilized the medium of wood engraving not merely for quick reportage, but as a deliberate artistic form. Today, the piece is housed in the distinguished prints collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art.