March Winds 1859

Winslow Homer made this engraving, "March Winds" for "Harper's Weekly" in the United States. It appeared in the April 2, 1859, edition. It's a wonderful illustration of the social disruptions that weather can cause. Here we see fashionable city-dwellers struggling against the wind. Note the hats being blown off heads, the women holding down their skirts, and the dog scampering away. This print appeared in a popular magazine with a wide circulation, indicating that it was meant to appeal to a broad audience and offer a view into a shared experience. Does it tell us about social class? Look at the dress of the figures and the fact that they are in front of a "Music" venue and make your own opinion. To dig deeper into the meaning of this image, a historian could consult copies of "Harper's Weekly" from 1859, investigate the fashion of the period, and research the popular amusements of the time. All of these can help us to understand the contingent nature of art and the historical forces that shape it.