The Skating Season Possibly 1862

Winslow Homer's wood engraving, "The Skating Season," was published in 1868 during a period of significant social change in the United States. The Civil War was over, and the country was in the midst of Reconstruction. Here, Homer captures a winter scene, seemingly bucolic. Yet, if we look closer, we can consider how social class is represented through clothing and leisure activities. Skating was becoming a popular pastime, accessible to many, but also reflective of social hierarchies. Are these ordinary folk, or are the affluent members of society? Notice the ways in which women are participating in winter leisure activities. How are notions of femininity being challenged and upheld in their actions and attire? This print offers a glimpse into a specific moment in American history, inviting us to reflect on the relationships between gender, class, and leisure. It compels us to consider the ways in which we come together to enjoy communal space.