Raid on a Sand-Swallow Colony - "How Many Eggs?"

The work Raid on a Sand-Swallow Colony - "How Many Eggs?" by Lagarde; Winslow Homer was created in 1874. This piece is a significant example of American graphic art from the active creative period spanning 1851 to 1875. Executed as a wood engraving, the technique involves detailed lines and sharp tonal contrasts necessary for mass reproduction in the era. The resulting print reveals the skill of both the initial designer (likely Homer, who provided the drawing) and the eventual engraver (possibly Lagarde, as collaboration was common in the burgeoning magazine illustration industry of the 19th century).

The subject matter captures a specific scene of youthful engagement with the natural world, likely featuring children investigating the nesting holes built into a sandy bank by a colony of sand-swallows. The subtitle, "How Many Eggs?," focuses the viewer's attention on the outcome of this playful, perhaps intrusive, exploration. While many of Homer’s works of the 1870s often addressed serious themes related to rural life or maritime culture, this image specifically addresses a common childhood activity, highlighting the casual intrusion of humans into animal habitats.

Homer was already established as a major figure in American illustration by this date, and the widespread production of such fine prints helped disseminate his artistic vision broadly across the nation. This type of commercially produced wood engraving laid the foundation for his later career in oil painting and watercolors, demonstrating his early ability to capture narrative and texture within a limited monochrome format. The historical importance of works like Raid on a Sand-Swallow Colony - "How Many Eggs?" makes them frequently cited examples of mid-19th century American illustration. This significant print is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Reflecting its age and significance, the work is often accessed by researchers through public domain art initiatives.