"Tenth Commandment"

Tenth Commandment is a significant wood engraving on paper created by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910) in 1870. The print was disseminated through the popular illustrated magazine Harper’s Weekly, a major platform that allowed Homer to engage with the public on pressing social and cultural matters of the post-Civil War era. Created during the politically turbulent Reconstruction period in the United States, this work reflects the era's preoccupation with moral integrity and shifting societal values.

As a masterful observer of American life and a prolific illustrator, Homer skillfully utilized the high-contrast capabilities of wood engraving. This labor-intensive printmaking technique was essential for the rapid production necessary for mass-market periodicals, allowing the artist to broadcast his detailed vignettes and pointed social commentary to a national audience. While the subject of the Tenth Commandment inherently deals with themes of covetousness and envy, the specific narrative imagery employed by Homer likely served as a mirror reflecting contemporary moral failings or economic aspirations in the newly industrialized nation.

This historical piece demonstrates the critical role that journalistic prints played in shaping public discourse in 19th-century America. Homer’s illustrations for Harper’s Weekly are cornerstones of American graphic art, providing invaluable insights into the culture of the period. Because many of Homer’s published works, including important prints like this, are now widely recognized as essential components of art history, high-resolution reproductions are frequently made available through various public domain initiatives. The original impression of this print resides in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.