Hon. Abraham Lincoln 1860

Winslow Homer's "Hon. Abraham Lincoln" appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1860, made through wood engraving, a technique intimately tied to the rise of mass media. Wood engraving involves carving an image into the end-grain of a block of wood, typically boxwood, and then inking the surface to produce a printed image. This method allowed for the creation of detailed illustrations that could be reproduced quickly and cheaply. As a result, it made imagery available to a broad audience, including those who couldn't afford paintings or fine art prints. Look closely, and you can see how the fine lines create the tonal range, and suggest depth and volume. But consider the wider context: images like these were critical in shaping public opinion and promoting political agendas. By understanding the processes, labor and industrial aspects of its production, we can appreciate the vital role that such images played in the social and political landscape of the 19th century.