George Blake's Letter 1870

Winslow Homer made this wood engraving, George Blake’s Letter, for publication in an illustrated periodical, probably in the 1870s or 80s. The image depicts a young woman seated and intently reading a letter. It’s a common enough theme, but one that was newly important in the 19th century. Consider for a moment the social context of the image. This was the era of mass literacy, and the postal service was becoming increasingly reliable and affordable, which transformed letter writing from a pursuit reserved for elites to a ubiquitous form of communication. Think of the way people could form relationships through correspondence. Homer's illustration gives us a glimpse of this new social landscape. To fully appreciate its place in cultural history, scholars consult not only art historical sources but also delve into postal archives and studies of literacy. The meaning of a simple image like this is contingent on social and institutional context.