"Dad's coming!" 1873

Editor: This is "Dad's coming!" designed by Winslow Homer. I’m really drawn to the textures. The woodcut gives such a distinct feel to the scene, especially the boats. What can you tell me about the materiality of this piece? Curator: Well, consider the original context: Harper’s Weekly. Wood engraving allowed mass reproduction and dissemination of images. Labor was divided; Homer designed it, others engraved it. So, what is "original" here? It’s a manufactured image meant for mass consumption. Editor: So, it's less about Homer’s hand and more about the system of production? Curator: Precisely. The value isn't in singular artistic genius, but the network that creates and distributes the image. Editor: That really shifts my understanding of its worth. Thank you!