William E. Burton, Esq., Comedian

William E. Burton, Esq., Comedian by Winslow Homer is a striking early career work created in 1858. This wood engraving captures the likeness of the renowned English-born American comedian and theater manager William E. Burton (1804-1860), who was a major fixture in the mid-19th century theatrical scene of the United States. Homer, who began his professional life primarily as an illustrator and commercial printmaker, often worked from existing photographs or sketches to create these reproducible images for mass publication.

The technical execution of the wood engraving, characterized by sharp, fine lines and an effective use of contrasting black and white tones, ensured wide distribution in the era’s popular illustrated magazines, such as Harper’s Weekly. As one of Homer’s early professional efforts, the piece demonstrates his growing proficiency in rendering detailed portraits through this demanding technique. The prevalence of such commercial prints in the United States during this period speaks to the rising popularity of visual journalism and the public's desire for illustrations of prominent figures. This specific portrait, showing Burton likely in character or repose, reflects the contemporary fascination with celebrity and the performing arts.

The work resides in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, preserving this key example of American prints for scholarly reference. Because of its age and historic significance, the image is considered within the framework of public domain art, making it accessible globally.