Homeward Bound, from Harper's Weekly

Homeward Bound, from Harper's Weekly is a significant wood engraving created by Winslow Homer American, 1836–1910, in 1867. This print, executed in black ink on cream wove paper, exemplifies Homer’s early career as a prolific illustrator. Before achieving widespread renown for his watercolors and oil paintings, the artist worked extensively for influential popular periodicals, most notably Harper's Weekly. This publication, widely circulated across the United States, played a critical role in shaping visual culture during the immediate post-Civil War and Reconstruction eras, making Homer’s work instantly recognizable to a vast public audience.

The demanding process of wood engraving requires the image to be meticulously cut into the end-grain of a boxwood block. This technique allowed for both the creation of fine detail and the necessary durability for mass reproduction, perfectly suiting the needs of a widely distributed magazine of prints. Through this medium, Homer frequently explored themes related to everyday American life, conveying narrative and emotion through careful composition and the stark contrasts inherent in the medium.

As an important piece of American visual history, this print is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Homer’s contributions to illustration provide invaluable documentation of the period's social and cultural concerns. Since the work dates from 1867, well over a century ago, this piece is frequently available within the public domain, ensuring that these historical prints remain accessible for study and appreciation across the United States. Homer remains a key figure in 19th-century American art.