The Bathe at Newport (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. II)

"The Bathe at Newport (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. II)" is an early wood engraving by Winslow Homer, dating to 1858, capturing a lively scene of leisure and recreation in mid-19th century America. Created at a time when Homer was working primarily as a freelance illustrator in New York, this work demonstrates his proficiency in translating complex outdoor scenes into a format suitable for mass publication.

The medium of wood engraving was crucial for disseminating visual culture during the period, allowing the work to be reproduced quickly and widely in illustrated weeklies such as Harper's Weekly. This print showcases Homer's skills before he transitioned primarily to oil painting, documenting the growing American interest in seaside holidays and public swimming.

The scene focuses on the activities at Newport, Rhode Island, a prominent resort destination. Homer details the distinct social interactions between the men and women enjoying the ocean bathing. Figures are shown entering the surf or standing on the shore, many dressed in the heavy, cumbersome bathing costumes typical of the era. The composition balances figures fully immersed in the water swimming with those observing from the beach, providing rich documentation of evolving societal attitudes toward mixed-gender public recreation.

As one of Homer’s significant contributions to periodical illustration, this work is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age and publication history, high-resolution copies of The Bathe at Newport are frequently available today as public domain prints, serving as vital resources for researchers studying the history of American illustration and resort culture.