Watch-Tower, Corner of Spring and Varick Streets, New York Possibly 1874

"Watch-Tower, Corner of Spring and Varick Streets, New York" is a wood engraving by Winslow Homer, possibly dated 1874, that captures a moment in the daily life of the city's firefighters. Divided into four panels, the artwork shows the fire tower, the watchman, the nine o'clock bell, and a fire. The intricate detail and realistic portrayal of the tower and its surroundings, as well as the figures, highlight Homer's keen observation of urban life and his skill in depicting the everyday heroism of firefighters. The work is part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection.