Station-House Lodgers (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XVIII) 1874

Winslow Homer's "Station-House Lodgers" from 1874, is a powerful wood engraving that depicts the harsh realities of poverty and social inequity. The image shows a cramped station house with a crowded room full of sleeping men, captured in a realistic and poignant manner. The contrast between the men's sleeping figures and the figure of a police officer in the doorway highlights the stark social divisions of the time. Homer's work is renowned for its attention to detail and its ability to evoke emotion through simple yet impactful imagery. This piece, originally published in "Harper's Weekly", remains a significant example of American Realism art.