"Spring in the City" by Winslow Homer, executed in 1858, is a significant early example of the American master’s prolific graphic output. Classified as a print, this work was created using the labor-intensive wood engraving technique. The process involves cutting the image onto the end grain of a boxwood block, allowing for remarkably fine lines and robust reproduction, making it ideal for the rapidly expanding market of illustrated newspapers and periodicals in the mid-19th century United States.
This piece reflects Homer’s crucial period as a professional illustrator, prior to his intense focus on independent oil painting. Working in the genre of illustration forced Homer to develop his keen observational skills regarding contemporary daily life and social interaction. Though the specific scene focuses on the transitional season within an urban setting, the composition exhibits the narrative clarity and directness characteristic of the young Homer's vision. By this time, Homer had already begun contributing illustrations to major publications like Harper’s Weekly.
The depiction provides valuable insight into the visual culture of the era and the developing themes that would preoccupy Homer throughout his career. As a fine example of American graphic art from this period, the impression resides in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because of its age and historical context, Spring in the City is often considered part of the public domain, allowing for wide study of these early prints and the foundational illustrative phase of the career of Homer.
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