Driving Home the Corn and Dance after the Husking (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. II) 1858

Winslow Homer created this engraving for Harper's Weekly in 1858, depicting rural life in the United States. It presents a double image of community, labor and leisure. In the image above, farmers bring home the corn harvest, while the image below shows the dance that follows. Published in a widely circulated periodical, the image constructs a narrative of rural life for a largely urban readership. Note that "Harper's Weekly" presented itself as a journal of news, literature, and art. This is important as we consider its public role and the politics of imagery. What kind of image of America did it present to its readers? Was this an accurate representation? We must remember that 1858 was a time of great division and anxiety in America. Images such as this one must be understood in the context of the country’s build-up to civil war. To understand the significance of this image, we must research the social conditions that shaped its production and reception. By studying the archives of "Harper's Weekly" we can understand its institutional history and editorial vision. By learning more about the artist, his patrons, and his audience, we can better understand its social and cultural significance.