"Winter"—A Skating Scene

"Winter"—A Skating Scene by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910) published by Harper's Weekly (American, 1857-1916) is a quintessential American wood engraving from the immediate post-Civil War period. Created in 1868, this evocative print captures a scene of winter recreation that was highly popular among the rapidly expanding middle-class in the United States.

Homer frequently utilized the medium of wood engraving for the wide dissemination of his work through influential illustrated magazines like Harper's Weekly. Unlike his later oil paintings, this accessible format allowed the artist to reach a broad audience quickly, chronicling contemporary life and culture. The composition focuses on figures enjoying ice skating, a central winter activity, rendered with the precise line work necessary for successful reproductive prints of the era. This detailed, genre scene reflects Homer's lifelong interest in depicting American leisure activities and the shifting social landscape of the young nation.

As a significant example of nineteenth-century American illustration, the work provides valuable insight into the visual culture of the time. This specific impression of Winter—A Skating Scene is held in the comprehensive prints and drawings collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to its age and historical context, this and many related prints by Homer are now widely accessible through the public domain, securing its lasting place as an icon of American art history.