The Lady in Black, Meadowbrook Parsonage (from "The Mistress of the Parsonage," in "Harper's Weekly")

The Lady in Black, Meadowbrook Parsonage (from "The Mistress of the Parsonage," in "Harper's Weekly") by Winslow Homer, dated 1860, is an important early example of the artist's foundational work as a professional illustrator. Executed as a wood engraving, this print was intended for mass distribution in the popular illustrated magazine Harper's Weekly. Homer began his career focusing heavily on graphic media, establishing himself quickly by producing detailed, narrative scenes of contemporary American life before the outbreak of the Civil War.

The image depicts a serene but potentially dramatic scene featuring several figures, primarily women and young girls, gathered outside the country residence referenced in the title. The central figure, dressed distinctively as the titular "Lady in Black," dominates the foreground, suggesting a moment of quiet introspection or social confrontation. The figures are set against a carefully observed landscape, reflecting Homer’s burgeoning skill in capturing the textures and light within outdoor settings. This illustration was published as part of a larger serialized story, The Mistress of the Parsonage, providing visual context for the domestic and social settings of the era.

While celebrated today for his monumental oil paintings, Homer’s proficiency in wood engraving defined his output throughout the 1850s and 1860s. This early work offers valuable insight into the period’s illustration techniques and the developing market for visual journalism. The piece demonstrates Homer’s consistent preoccupation with depicting women in evocative and specific environments. This historically significant print is part of the extensive collection of American prints housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.