Thanksgiving Day – The Dinner (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. II) 1858

Winslow Homer’s “Thanksgiving Day – The Dinner,” an engraving featured in Harper’s Weekly in 1858, captures a scene of domestic celebration amidst a society grappling with profound questions of identity and belonging. Published on the eve of the Civil War, this image presents an idealized vision of American family life, one that is distinctly white and middle-class. The setting suggests a comfortable affluence, with a large family gathered around a laden table, embodying a sense of unity and abundance. Yet, this representation is far from universal, obscuring the realities of enslaved people and marginalized communities. Homer's work invites us to reflect on who is included and who is excluded from this tableau of national identity. The absence of any acknowledgement of the social and racial divides inherent in the American experience creates a narrative of Thanksgiving that is both celebratory and deeply problematic.