Husking Party Finding the Red Ears

Husking Party Finding the Red Ears is an early wood engraving created by Winslow Homer in 1857. This print reflects the artist’s prolific initial career as an illustrator, predating his celebrated wartime and maritime paintings. Executed using the demanding wood engraving technique, the composition captures a lively genre scene common in 19th-century rural life in the United States. Homer created numerous illustrations depicting American social customs for periodicals of the era.

The piece details a traditional husking bee, an event where neighbors gathered to strip the husks from corn cobs, transforming necessary agricultural labor into a communal social ritual. The subject centers specifically on the excitement surrounding the discovery of a red ear, a rarity that traditionally granted the finder the right to kiss another participant. Homer’s skillful handling of the black and white medium conveys the festive, dynamic atmosphere, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow within the rustic barn setting.

This historical print is significant as it demonstrates Homer's emerging compositional talent and his commitment to documenting contemporary daily life. While initially intended for mass consumption in widely distributed publications, the work showcases the artistic potential of the wood engraving medium during a period of rapidly expanding visual culture across the United States. This significant example of mid-19th century American printmaking is maintained in the distinguished collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Its inclusion in major museum holdings, coupled with its age, ensures that works like this are now widely accessible for study through public domain collections.