after Winslow Homer. A Skating Scene. New York: Harpers Weekly, 1868$295.00

"Winter- A Skating Scene - Drawn by Winslow Homer"

In the nineteenth century, before photography became commonplace, newspapers, guidebooks, and periodicals were illustrated with original wood engravings. Many of the best artists of the day earned their bread and butter in this manner. A.B. Frost, Thomas Nast, Winslow Homer, and Frederic Remington are just a few of the names of famous artists whose work appeared in Harper’s Weekly. They produced beautiful images that are technically superb original nineteenth century prints, invaluable for the historical information they provide. The prints provide glimpses into the daily life of the period and a great deal of information concerning the architectural detail of specific locations and individual buildings.

Winslow Homer submitted this image to be engraved  for inclusion in a January 1868 edition of the newspaper. In the foreground   It shows young women skating on a pond in the park bundled up against the cold in their Victorian finery with fur and velvet trimmed coats, looped up skirts and fur muffs. The text on the reverse addresses the recent recognition of the value of physical exercise but warns “that the temptation to excess should be carefully guarded against” and that proper clothing must be carefully selected.

16 x 10 ¼ inches, sheet.
Wood engraving.
Excellent condition.