Tenth Commandment - Thou Shalt Not Covet . . . 1870

Curator: This is a fascinating piece designed by Winslow Homer entitled, "Tenth Commandment - Thou Shalt Not Covet . . .". It appeared in Harper's Weekly in March 1870. Editor: My first thought? It's a witty commentary on materialism. I'm drawn to how Homer visualizes abstract desires, like wanting a bigger house or fancier servants. Curator: Exactly! The print satirizes the rise of consumer culture during the Gilded Age. The composition places the commandment within the lives of these women, who represent the aspirational middle class. Editor: The figures trapped in these covetous thoughts—servants, mansions, fancy clothes—feel like bubbles about to burst. It's almost comical. Are we supposed to feel guilty, or just laugh at ourselves? Curator: Perhaps both! Homer uses the visual language of the time to critique social values. The placement within a popular periodical allowed it to reach a wide audience, sparking reflection on these values. Editor: It definitely makes you think, doesn't it? What do we truly value versus what society tells us we *should* value? A timeless question, really.