Madame Laborde 1859

"Madame Laborde" is a wood engraving created by Winslow Homer in 1859. It depicts a portrait of Madame Laborde, a well-known opera singer in the mid-19th century. The artwork was published in *Ballou’s Pictorial*, a popular illustrated weekly magazine. The engraving showcases Homer’s early skills in capturing detail and expressing personality in his subjects. Homer used bold lines and contrasts to bring Madame Laborde’s features to life, conveying a sense of her elegance and presence. The artwork is a prime example of American wood engraving from the era, a popular medium for reproducing images in periodicals.