The Sleighing Season – The Upset (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. IV)

The Sleighing Season – The Upset (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. IV), executed by Winslow Homer in 1860, is a dynamic early wood engraving that captures a moment of unexpected drama during a winter outing. This print was originally produced for the influential illustrated magazine Harper’s Weekly, where Homer served as a key journalistic illustrator documenting American life prior to and during the Civil War.

The composition centers on the aftermath of a sleigh accident, detailing the chaotic "upset" of the carriage in a rural setting. Homer depicts the scene with vivid narrative detail: several figures, including both men and women, are scrambling in the snow, offering assistance, or reacting to the sudden incident. The immediate cause of the trouble is suggested by the depiction of the frightened horses, whose tangled harnesses and movements contrast sharply with the heavy winter attire worn by the human figures.

Homer developed his powerful understanding of composition and narrative largely through these illustration assignments, translating complex outdoor scenes into striking black-and-white images suitable for rapid publication. The fine, dense linework characteristic of the wood engraving medium allows the artist to effectively render the textures of snow, winter foliage, and bundled fabric. This genre scene provides valuable insight into social customs and leisure activities of mid-19th century America. Now recognized as a foundational piece of the artist’s oeuvre, this important print resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, ensuring this early work remains accessible in the public domain for study and appreciation.