The Summit of Mount Washington (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XIII)

The Summit of Mount Washington (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XIII) by Winslow Homer, created in 1869, is a significant example of American illustrated journalism and Homer’s early graphic work. Executed as a wood engraving, this print was published in the popular periodical Harper's Weekly during a period of burgeoning national travel and tourism. It documents the increasing allure of mountain leisure in the Northeast during the post-Civil War period. This detailed print, showcasing Homer’s talent for capturing contemporary American life, is currently held within the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Homer captures the bustling activity atop the highest peak in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The composition focuses on a diverse group of tourists- men and women dressed in typical travel attire, some standing at the precipice while others seek shelter or enjoy the panoramic view. The presence of several horses and carriages emphasizes the challenging logistics of accessing the remote summit before the widespread adoption of the cog railway. This work, like many of Homer's illustrations of the 1860s, demonstrates his keen eye for American social observation and the nascent leisure culture developing outside major cities.

As an illustration produced for a widely circulated magazine, this wood engraving reached a vast audience, shaping the public image of rugged American scenery. The widespread circulation inherent in the print medium is essential to understanding the dissemination of Homer’s early illustrative style and subjects. Such influential works, published during the era before modern copyright restrictions, often reside in the public domain, making high-resolution images and fine art prints readily accessible for collection and scholarly study.