Under the Falls, Catskill Mountains, from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XVI

Under the Falls, Catskill Mountains, from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XVI by Winslow Homer is an evocative wood engraving created in 1878. Published in the popular illustrated magazine Harper's Weekly, this print was designed to reach a wide American audience, showcasing the dramatic natural beauty accessible to tourists visiting the region.

The artwork captures the powerful interaction of water and rock endemic to the Catskill Mountains landscape, a celebrated subject for 19th-century American artists. Homer renders a large waterfall cascading over a mossy cliff face, dramatically framing the dark, recessed entrance of a cave or grotto. The scene is populated by several women, depicted in the fashionable attire of the era, who are exploring the misty base of the falls. Their diminutive figures contrast sharply with the overwhelming scale and visceral energy of the rushing water, highlighting the era's simultaneous appreciation for the sublime and the domesticated experience of nature.

As a wood engraving, the technique relies on precise, detailed line work and stark contrasts between light and shadow, expertly conveying the texture of the spray and the density of the surrounding foliage. Homer utilized this medium extensively during the 1870s, solidifying his reputation through these widely circulated prints before dedicating himself primarily to oil painting. This work remains an important example of American graphic illustration from the period. High-quality prints of this historic image are frequently found in public domain collections today, ensuring continued access to this facet of American art history. The original is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.