Swinging on a Birch Tree 1867

Winslow Homer created this print, "Swinging on a Birch Tree," using wood engraving, a popular method for mass-reproduced images. The image shows two young boys enjoying a carefree moment outdoors. The boys' dress suggests a rural setting, a subject that gained prominence in American art during the latter half of the 19th century. But consider the context: The Civil War had recently concluded, and America was grappling with its identity. Images of youthful innocence were a deliberate move by artists, publishers and other cultural institutions, who were eager to promote a vision of national unity. Prints like these, published in magazines such as *Harper's Weekly*, had a large circulation. Homer's image, in its idealization of childhood, contributed to the formation of a shared national identity, one that emphasized the values of simplicity. Looking at such works with an understanding of social history helps us recognize how art can reflect and shape cultural values. Researching the popular press of the time and the history of art institutions would further illuminate the cultural work this image performed.