The New Year – 1869 – Drawn by Winslow Homer (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XIII)

The New Year – 1869 – Drawn by Winslow Homer (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XIII) is an important example of Winslow Homer’s prolific output as a leading illustrator for popular magazines during the pivotal post-Civil War era. Executed as a detailed wood engraving, this print was published in the January 9, 1869, issue of Harper's Weekly, serving as a visual commentary on contemporary American customs and the rapidly changing domestic scene. Homer’s magazine illustrations from this period were critical to establishing his national reputation before he devoted his career entirely to painting.

The piece captures a genre scene centered on the domestic activities associated with the New Year holiday. The composition focuses on women and children engaged in interior rituals, demonstrating Homer's sharp eye for realism. The narrative detail is enhanced by specific cultural markers of the era; note the prominent inclusion of a newly fashionable bicycle, contrasting the modern age with the traditional presence of a cat near the hearth, adding a layer of warmth to the scene. This careful depiction of everyday domesticity and the leisure pursuits of children is characteristic of Homer's ability to imbue journalistic illustration with artistic weight.

This specific impression resides within the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, reflecting the institution’s commitment to preserving key works of nineteenth-century American graphic arts and illustrative history. The New Year – 1869 demonstrates Homer's early mastery of visual storytelling. Because of its origin as a widely disseminated periodical illustration, high-quality prints of this important work often fall within the public domain, ensuring broader access to Homer's foundational contributions to American visual culture.