Thanksgiving Day - Arrival at the Old Home 27 - 1858

Editor: This is "Thanksgiving Day - Arrival at the Old Home," designed by Winslow Homer. It's a black and white print, and I'm immediately struck by how the details of the clothing contrast with the simple lines of the house. What can you tell me about how it was made? Curator: As a wood engraving, its production relied on the division of labor, with specialists for design, carving, and printing. This image offered consumers glimpses into middle-class experiences and material aspirations during a period of rapid industrialization and social change. Editor: So the means of production reflect societal changes at the time? Curator: Precisely. The mass production and distribution of such images demonstrate how consumerism and material culture were increasingly intertwined with social identity and aspirations in the 19th century. Editor: That's so interesting, I never thought about it that way. Curator: Considering the labor and social context really changes our perspective, doesn't it?