The Nooning

"The Nooning," created by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910) in 1873, is a superb example of the graphic illustration technique that defined popular media in the late 19th century. This print is executed as a wood engraving on paper and was originally published in the widely read periodical Harper's Weekly, serving as a major vehicle for disseminating visual culture across the United States.

Homer, a master of narrative realism, transitioned fluidly between oil painting and commercial graphic arts. In this early work, he focuses on a moment of quiet repose, a common theme in his portrayals of rural life and labor. The piece captures agricultural workers taking a mandatory break during the intense heat of midday. The composition relies on the inherent high contrast of the wood engraving medium, utilizing dense line work and sharp delineation to model form and achieve dramatic effects of light and shadow, essential for depicting the contrast of the intense midday sun.

The widespread circulation of the image through Harper's Weekly in 1873 cemented its place in the visual history of post-Civil War America, defining how many citizens consumed imagery and understood contemporary social observation. Because many of Homer's illustrations were reproduced rapidly for publication, these early prints offer valuable insight into 19th-century American printmaking technology. This significant illustration of everyday life is held in the distinguished permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a landmark 19th-century American artwork, the image is now widely shared via public domain archives, ensuring its legacy is accessible globally.