The Skating Season

"The Skating Season," created by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910) and published by the influential journal Harper's Weekly in 1862, is a seminal example of the artist’s early career as an illustrator. This work is classified as a wood engraving on paper, a highly efficient print medium crucial for the widespread dissemination of news and visual culture throughout the United States during the mid-19th century. Homer’s designs were transferred onto wood blocks, carved by professional engravers, and then printed for the weekly publication, ensuring that his observations of contemporary life reached millions of readers.

The subject matter captures a lively winter scene centered around public recreation, depicting men, women, and children enjoying the seasonal activity of ice skating on a frozen river or pond. Although this piece was published in the midst of the American Civil War, it focuses on the enduring social rituals and daily life activities that provided a necessary visual counterbalance to the intense political and military reporting that dominated the periodical’s pages. Homer’s careful attention to posture, fashion, and the dynamic movement of the figures showcases his developing talent for journalistic observation—a hallmark of his subsequent career in both illustration and painting.

This print provides invaluable insight into graphic journalism and popular taste of the era. Homer's contributions to Harper's Weekly established him as a leading visual chronicler of the period. Today, this key piece of American visual history is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a historic work of art, The Skating Season often exists in the public domain, making high-quality images and related prints widely accessible for study and appreciation.