Low Tide (from "Every Saturday," Vol. I, New Series) 1870

Winslow Homer created this wood engraving entitled "Low Tide" in the United States during the late 19th century. It was published in "Every Saturday," a popular illustrated weekly. The scene depicts children enjoying a day at the beach. We see a group of girls standing at the shoreline, while others play in the waves. In the foreground, two girls are crouched down, one using a stick to draw letters in the wet sand. The image, at first glance, presents an idyllic scene of leisure and childhood innocence, but it speaks to larger cultural shifts occurring at the time. As industrialization progressed, so too did the rise of a new middle class with increased access to leisure time and consumer goods. Depictions of leisure activities became increasingly popular in magazines like "Every Saturday," reflecting and reinforcing these new social norms. By studying publications like "Every Saturday" alongside Homer’s work, we gain a deeper understanding of the social conditions that shaped artistic production and the evolving role of art in reflecting and shaping American culture.