The Tenth Commandment 1870

Winslow Homer’s "The Tenth Commandment," published in Harper's Weekly in 1870, invites us to consider the social and moral dimensions of desire in post-Civil War America. The print depicts two well-dressed women looking through a window. Around them are vignettes illustrating the objects of their potential envy: a grand house, servants, and livestock. This arrangement isn't just a depiction of moral contemplation; it's a snapshot of a society grappling with shifting class dynamics and the lure of material wealth. Homer’s work cleverly uses the biblical commandment against coveting to explore the complexities of aspiration, class, and gender within a rapidly changing socio-economic landscape. It subtly critiques the burgeoning consumer culture while highlighting the emotional and ethical dilemmas it poses, particularly for women of the era.