Corner of Winter, Washington and Summer Streets, Boston (Ballou's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion, Vol. XII) 1857

This print, "Corner of Winter, Washington and Summer Streets, Boston," was made by Winslow Homer and appeared in Ballou's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion in 1857. The image offers us a glimpse into the bustling street life of mid-19th century Boston. Homer's print creates meaning through the juxtaposition of social classes. The detailed depiction of fashionable pedestrians, horse-drawn carriages, and bustling commercial activity reflects the economic growth and social stratification of the time. This was a period when Boston's elite sought to emulate European urban life, while poverty and inequality remained widespread. The print’s publication in Ballou's Pictorial is important to note. As a popular illustrated newspaper, it played a role in shaping public perceptions of urban life and culture. To understand this print better, we can look at city directories, newspapers, and other periodicals of the time. Examining the institutional history of publications such as Ballou's Pictorial will help us better understand the social and cultural values that shaped artistic production.