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

Raid on a Sand-Swallow Colony - "How Many Eggs?" by Winslow Homer is a classic example of American graphic art created during the artist's prolific period of illustration. Executed as a wood engraving in 1874, this print demonstrates Homer’s mastery of line and tone, translating a detailed narrative scene into the medium dominant in mass-market publications of the era. The process of wood engraving allowed the artist to achieve high contrast and complex textural effects necessary for successful reproduction.

The subject captures a genre scene typical of the artist's work in the United States during the post-Civil War era: children interacting with the natural world. Two young boys are shown investigating the nesting burrows of sand swallows, peering into the excavated holes in a sandy bank. The piece balances the youthful curiosity and slight mischief of the children against the rugged backdrop of the natural environment. Such realistic portrayals of American life and childhood became highly popular due to their accessibility through publications like Harper’s Weekly.

Homer’s compositions, characterized by direct observation and robust draftsmanship, cemented his reputation as a leading figure in American art. As an early example of his work distributed widely through commercial prints, this piece holds significance for collectors and scholars alike. Because of its age and history as published illustration, works such as this are often available in the public domain for study and appreciation. This specific impression of Raid on a Sand-Swallow Colony - "How Many Eggs?" is included in the esteemed collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.