The Family Record
Winslow Homer
American Art
Most of Homer’s illustrations were intended to coincide with broad national sentiment. Themes of domestic harmony were particularly popular after the close of the Civil War—when the unity of the family became a metaphor for the reunification of the country. The Family Record stresses the ideal of stability, as the young couple is observed inscribing the name of their infant in the family Bible under what may be presumed to be a portrait of a colonial ancestor. The engraving appeared opposite an anonymously published poem in the form of a dialogue between the humbly joyful mother and father.
MEDIUM
Wood engraving
DATES
1875
DIMENSIONS
Image: 13 5/8 x 9 1/8 in. (34.6 x 23.2 cm)
Sheet: 15 5/8 x 11 in. (39.7 x 27.9 cm)
Frame: 22 3/4 x 16 3/4 x 1 1/2 in. (57.8 x 42.5 x 3.8 cm)
ACCESSION NUMBER
1998.105.197
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Harvey Isbitts
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
RECORD COMPLETENESS
Not every record you will find here is complete. More information is available for some works than for others, and some entries have been updated more recently. Records are frequently reviewed and revised, and
we welcome any additional information you might have.
