Welcome to the Prince of Wales

Welcome to the Prince of Wales is a significant wood engraving on paper created by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910) in 1860, and originally published in the influential weekly periodical, Harper’s Weekly. This print documents the highly publicized visit of Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales, to the United States, an event of major diplomatic and social interest just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. Homer, early in his career, cemented his reputation as a skilled illustrator and keen observer of contemporary American life through his contributions to such publications.

As a wood engraving, the work exemplifies the primary technique used to disseminate visual news to a mass audience in 19th-century United States. The high contrast inherent to the medium effectively translates the excitement and scale of the public reception, capturing the elaborate ceremony and the diverse crowds gathered for the occasion. Homer’s detailed rendering shaped public perception of this important international exchange. Such prints served a crucial documentary function in the era before widespread photography.

Homer’s extensive experience creating immediate, narrative images for Harper’s Weekly honed the compositional and observational skills that would define his later career as a distinguished painter. This work provides vital historical insight into American culture as political tensions peaked in 1860. The artist’s early focus on social dynamics ensures that this influential piece remains a cornerstone of American graphic arts history. This impression of Welcome to the Prince of Wales is held within the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, and as a historical illustration, the work is frequently studied and made available through public domain sources.