Seesaw—Gloucester, Massachusetts

Seesaw—Gloucester, Massachusetts by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910) is a significant example of American printmaking from the post-Civil War era. Created in 1874, this detailed image is a wood engraving on buff wove paper, originally published in the widely circulated illustrated periodical, Harper's Weekly. Homer served as a key illustrator for the publication, and his works often provided documentary insights into the social fabric and leisure activities of the United States during the mid-to-late 19th century.

The work captures a vignette of everyday life in Gloucester, Massachusetts, a location Homer frequented and often depicted. The focus is on the casual interaction and dynamic movement of children utilizing a makeshift seesaw, likely constructed from lumber found near the town's busy docks or fishing industries. Homer’s characteristic realism emphasizes the setting and the figures’ postures, effectively grounding the scene in recognizable contemporary experience. His command of the wood engraving medium is evident in the precise linework and deep contrast, allowing for texture and depth that went beyond typical journalistic illustration.

Homer’s focus on themes of childhood and play served as an important counterbalance to the rapidly industrializing American landscape. Though designed for mass reproduction, the technical and observational skill displayed in this print elevates its status. Today, this work is recognized as a vital component of American culture, documenting the artist’s early career before his transition entirely to painting. This important print currently resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a historical piece of American art, the image is often found in the public domain, ensuring global access to Homer’s visual legacy.