Come 1869

Editor: So, this is Winslow Homer's "Come," a wood engraving from 1869. It has a rather staged feel, almost theatrical. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The wood engraving is an interesting choice, isn't it? It was a very common means of reproduction and dissemination of images in the 19th century. Before photography became widespread, this was how the masses got their visual news, almost like a printed photograph. It's fascinating to consider how this piece, meant for mass consumption in a magazine or newspaper, speaks to class and gender roles in post-Civil War America. Editor: In what ways? Curator: Look at the detail placed on the woman's dress and the man's attire, contrasting with the starkly sketched crowd in the background. Homer highlights the industrial processes involved in reproducing fashion and constructing class. Notice also the handkerchief being waved; consider it not just as a plot element, but a textile produced through specific labor conditions. How does that lens influence your perception of the scene? Editor: I hadn't really thought of it that way. It almost makes the encounter less romantic and more a product of societal structures. So you are saying, the artistic value comes from more than the subject? Curator: Precisely! Homer uses a commercial, labor-intensive medium to depict a narrative subtly embedded in a matrix of economic and social forces. It prompts us to consider how even a seemingly simple exchange is built upon the foundations of production, labor, and social status, especially for consumers. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. I didn’t realize how much the material context influenced my interpretation. Curator: The medium informs the message; Winslow Homer's choice allows to examine consumerism in 19th century society.