The New Year – 1869 – Drawn by Winslow Homer (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XIII) 1869

"The New Year – 1869" is a wood engraving by Winslow Homer, originally published in Harper's Weekly in 1869. The artwork depicts a child riding a tricycle, representing the new year, being ushered in by a figure draped in a flowing gown, while an older figure with a scythe, representing the old year, is left behind, carrying the year 1868 in a wheelbarrow. This allegorical image celebrates the arrival of a new year, but also hints at the passage of time and the inevitability of change. It is a characteristic example of Homer's use of symbolism and allegory to depict everyday life in a profound and engaging manner.