Under the Falls, Catskill Mountains

Under the Falls, Catskill Mountains, created by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910) and published in 1872 by Harper's Weekly, is a quintessential example of 19th-century American illustrative prints. This detailed wood engraving on paper captures a scene of natural wonder in the Catskill region, a popular tourist destination that drew artists and vacationers alike. Homer frequently contributed illustrations to the major pictorial newspapers, establishing his reputation for vivid realism and reportage before focusing solely on oil painting.

The work reflects the burgeoning interest in domestic tourism and the appreciation of the American wilderness characteristic of the post-Civil War era in the United States. The dense linework and sharp contrasts required for the wood engraving process allowed Homer to translate the dramatic textures of cascading water and damp rock faces into a reproducible format suitable for mass circulation. These graphic prints were instrumental in distributing Homer’s vision across the nation, making his interpretation of American life and landscape widely accessible. This piece exemplifies the high standard of craftsmanship present in pictorial journalism of the 1870s.

As this artwork is now well over a century old, the image has entered the public domain, allowing institutions worldwide to utilize and share its high-resolution reference material. This important historical print, Under the Falls, Catskill Mountains, remains part of the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering crucial insight into Homer's early career as a professional illustrator and his complex engagement with defining the American landscape.