"Tenth Commandment" (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XIV)

"Tenth Commandment" (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XIV) by Winslow Homer, created in 1870, is a powerful example of American illustrative printmaking. Executed as a wood engraving, this image was published during the complex social and economic environment of the Reconstruction era, reflecting the contemporary appetite for visual commentary often found in periodicals like Harper's Weekly.

The artwork, derived from the biblical instruction "Thou shalt not covet," presents a complex scene of rural observation. Homer expertly utilizes the high contrast inherent in the wood engraving technique to define the figures and setting. The composition features several men and women interacting within a landscape that includes various forms of desirable property, notably livestock. The specific inclusion of cows and donkeys directly references the language of the Decalogue, underscoring themes of desire, comparison, and the ownership of worldly goods.

Homer, renowned for his keen observational skills, captures the subtle social dynamics between these figures, often employing illustration as a tool for quiet narrative. This particular print is key to understanding the artist’s progression, as he shifted from prolific illustration toward concentrated focus on oil painting later in the decade.

This valuable historical print is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a significant document of 19th-century American graphic art, works like Tenth Commandment provide crucial insight into the visual culture and mass media dissemination of the time. Because of its age and cultural importance, high-quality reproductions of this work are frequently accessible through public domain art initiatives.