The Nooning

The Nooning is a significant graphic work created by the acclaimed American 19th Century artist, Winslow Homer, in 1873. Classified as a print, the piece was executed using the demanding technique of wood engraving on newsprint. This medium was crucial during the period of 1851 to 1875, allowing artists like Homer to translate their original sketches into reproducible images suitable for popular illustrated journals and magazines. The necessity of reproducing images quickly and affordably for mass consumption drove innovation in American prints, making the wood engraving a defining feature of visual culture in this era.

Homer frequently utilized this technique to capture and disseminate scenes of contemporary American life, especially focusing on rural genre subjects and the rhythm of labor. A work depicting the ‘nooning,’ or midday rest, exemplifies the artist’s interest in moments of repose contrasted against the exertion of the working day. Homer’s masterful use of line and tone in the engraving medium allowed for complex shadowing and detail, providing the visual depth necessary to elevate these utilitarian prints into works of genuine artistry. The subject matter reflects the growing focus on everyday domestic and working-class narratives characteristic of the period.

As a vital example of American graphic arts from the latter half of the 19th century, this print contributes significantly to our understanding of the cultural and visual landscape of the era 1851 to 1875. Homer's widespread use of reproductive prints ensured the democratic distribution of his vision throughout the nation. This specific impression of The Nooning is held within the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art. The historic availability of such works through mass media means that high-quality digital assets of this important period in American art are often found in the public domain, benefiting scholars and enthusiasts globally.