-Hi! H-o-o-o! He Done Come. Jumboloro Tell You Fust- 1869

This print was made by Winslow Homer, though the exact date is unknown, using wood engraving. This process is a relief printing method, where an image is carved into the end grain of a wood block. Looking closely, notice how the wood engraving technique itself informs the image. The figures, rendered in a tight network of lines, emerge from the stark white paper, creating strong contrasts of dark and light. The artist skillfully manipulates the wood to create textures, from the lush foliage to the rough-hewn post. In Homer's time, this method was critical for mass media, allowing illustrations to be included in newspapers and magazines. While it could allow for widespread distribution, this also opens up questions of labor, politics, and consumption in relation to its production, given how time-consuming engraving is. Ultimately, understanding the technical processes sheds light on the social significance of the image, blurring boundaries between fine art and mass communication.