View in South Market Street 1857

Winslow Homer made this print, "View in South Market Street," in 1857, using wood engraving. This process was common for mass-produced images, different from drawing or painting that results in a single artwork. Wood engraving involves cutting a design into the end grain of a block of wood, which is much harder than the side grain used for woodcuts. This allows for finer detail and more intricate imagery, as you can see here. The block is then inked and printed, transferring the image to paper. The texture of the paper is smooth, allowing the fine lines of the engraving to stand out. Consider how this print was made, and for what purpose. The many hands involved, from the artist, to the engraver, to the printer, highlight labor and mass production. It’s a scene of commerce, made by commerce. This contrasts with the traditional idea of the solitary artist, emphasizing the social and economic context of art production. Appreciating the materials, techniques, and social context helps us understand this image more fully.