Waiting for a Bite (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XVIII) 1874

"Waiting for a Bite" is a wood engraving by Winslow Homer, published in Harper's Weekly in 1874. Depicting three young men fishing from a fallen log, it captures the tranquility of nature, a common theme in Homer's early works. This scene, rendered in the precise detail of the wood engraving technique, reflects Homer's interest in everyday life and the interplay of figures and landscape, a signature of his later painting. This particular piece is a fine example of Homer's ability to capture the essence of a moment, highlighting the quiet solitude of fishing and the simplicity of a natural setting.