The Sleighing Season—the Upset

"The Sleighing Season—the Upset" is an early and significant wood engraving on paper created by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910) and published in the widely circulated illustrated journal Harper's Weekly in 1860. This print reflects Homer's foundational years working as a commercial illustrator, a period where he honed his skills depicting scenes of contemporary American life for mass consumption. The detailed technique required for wood engraving allowed for rapid reproduction and distribution, making such prints crucial instruments in disseminating visual culture throughout the United States in the mid-19th century.

Homer captures a fleeting, dramatic moment of winter recreation: a horse-drawn sleigh has overturned in the deep snow, scattering its passengers onto the ground. The composition focuses on the resulting scramble, with figures attempting to right the vehicle while others attend to the fallen. This engaging depiction of daily life and minor misfortune was typical subject matter for Harper’s Weekly, appealing to a broad readership interested in domestic and often humorous vignettes.

Though produced commercially, this illustration demonstrates the developing narrative skill and graphic strength that would define Homer’s later independent work in oil and watercolor. The focus on immediate action and realistic character portrayal foreshadows his celebrated mature style. Created just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, this work provides valuable insight into the leisure activities of the period. This historical American print is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.