Tenth Commandment

Tenth Commandment by Winslow Homer, executed in 1870, is a compelling example of the artist’s prolific output in the medium of wood engraving. Before establishing himself as a painter, Winslow Homer was one of the most successful and influential illustrators in the United States, utilizing the printmaking process to disseminate his imagery widely through popular periodicals such as Harper’s Weekly.

This print is characteristic of Homer’s documentary style during the late 1860s and early 1870s, where he often captured scenes of everyday American life or commented on prevailing social issues. Classification as a print indicates its intended use for mass reproduction, a common practice that helped cement Homer’s reputation as an astute visual chronicler of his time. The technique of wood engraving, which allows for extremely fine lines and intricate detail by incising the image onto the end grain of the woodblock, granted the artist a sharpness and tonal range necessary for effective newspaper and magazine illustration.

The title references the biblical command, suggesting a commentary on covetousness or material desire within contemporary American society. Homer produced numerous prints reflecting the rapid social and cultural shifts taking place in the United States following the Civil War. Works such as Tenth Commandment are vital to understanding the trajectory of the artist’s career and the development of American graphic arts. Because of its historical significance and age, this work is frequently available for academic study and is often cited in discussions regarding art and the public domain. This impression is part of the distinguished permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.