Winter Birds c. 19th century

William B. Closson created this engraving entitled, 'Winter Birds'. While the date of its making is unknown, the styles and subjects it depicts are telling. This image of a well-to-do woman walking with two children through a snowy landscape replete with bare trees and birds, suggests the social and cultural priorities of the late 19th century in the United States. Consider, for example, the emphasis on domesticity and the cult of motherhood, where women were increasingly idealized as guardians of the home and family. This composition, with its detailed rendering of clothing and the soft textures of snow, echoes the conservative values of the time, subtly reinforcing traditional gender roles. The role of art institutions is also worth considering. Art schools were becoming increasingly influential, promoting a particular academic style, and museums were beginning to shape public taste and notions of culture. To fully understand this piece, further research into late 19th-century American social history and the role of art institutions of the time would be invaluable.