The Bathers (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XVII)
Original title: The Bathers (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XVII)
kurzbeschreibung
Winslow Homer made Die Badenden in August 1873 as a wood engraving for Harper's Weekly. The print belongs among his illustrations of American beach life and features two girls accompanied by other bathers.
Description
Two girls in long dark skirts and head coverings walk the beach close together, evidently talking. Behind them other figures are spread out, children and adults alike, some carrying umbrellas. A sailboat rests on the sea, which closes off the view. Black and white governs the image, the layout runs horizontally, the light falls evenly, and shadows are absent.
Context
Harper's Weekly, one of the leading illustrated weekly newspapers in the United States, published the engraving in 1873. During the 1870s Homer worked as an illustrator and produced many scenes of American everyday life, above all along the New England coast. Showing leisure at the beach points to the growing interest in recreation and tourism in the postwar years.
Impact
The tight group of figures and the calm beach landscape make the image feel familiar and ordinary. Even light and the absence of shadows create a clear, matter-of-fact atmosphere characteristic of newspaper illustration of the period.
Technique
For this engraving the design was cut into a woodblock and afterwards printed on paper. The process allowed the fine lines and details usual in newspaper illustrations. The sheet measures 15 15/16 x 10 7/8 inches (40.5 x 27.6 cm).
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)