Minnie Clyde 1857

This is a lithograph print, made by Winslow Homer, showing the cover for a piece of sheet music. Lithography is a printmaking process that relies on the flat surface of a stone or metal plate, using oil and water to create an image. Here, the lithographic process allowed for the relatively quick and inexpensive production of sheet music covers. This speaks to the growing commercialization of music in the 19th century and the rise of a mass market for popular songs. Homer’s image, showing a young woman at a well, evokes a romanticized vision of rural life, likely appealing to urban consumers seeking an escape from industrializing cities. The work’s materiality lies in the contrast between the artistic skill required to create the original image and the industrial means of its reproduction and distribution. Paying attention to materials and making helps us see how art is deeply intertwined with social and economic forces. This cover embodies both artistic expression and the expanding reach of popular culture.