Lumbering in Winter (Every Saturday, Vol. II, New Series) 1871

Editor: Winslow Homer’s "Lumbering in Winter," a woodcut print from 1871, depicts two men cutting down a tree in a snow-covered forest. The scene is stark and a little bleak. I'm interested in what compositional choices led to such an intense atmosphere. What do you see in this piece from a formal perspective? Curator: The tension in the woodcut emerges precisely from Homer's masterful control over the elements of line and form. Notice the contrast between the sharp, angular lines of the lumberjacks and their tools, which cut into the soft, undulating curves of the snow-laden landscape. The severe verticality of the trees presses down upon the scene. Editor: That contrast between the curves and the sharp lines definitely amplifies the men’s struggle against nature, it almost seems as if they’re disturbing nature. I wonder why he chose this scene. Curator: Observe also how Homer organizes space: he uses high contrast to define space, not through modeling volume. And see how that strong foreground, the figures, pulls you into the depth of the print, while the middle ground seems compressed. It all feels very immediate and compressed; what would that formal strategy impart to us? Editor: It emphasizes the labour! It removes anything idyllic; instead of making you feel like you're looking at a romantic landscape, the artist brings you right up to the work. It really highlights how demanding the job is! I never noticed all the clever lines, now I have a greater respect for its mood and construction! Curator: Exactly. Homer orchestrates all this using only black and white lines. The dynamism between shape and void underscores the tension inherent in the interaction between humanity and nature. By paying attention to the construction of the artwork, its symbolic depths become clear.