As the temperatures drop and the fall fruits ripen, tis the season for baked treats and blazing hearths. Winslow Homer’s engraving for Harper’s Weekly captures the excitement of a riotous harvest gathering of family, friends, and neighbors – the annual Apple Bee. Much like the holiday parties thrown today, here young and old, men, women, and children all come together to celebrate. While some figures dutifully peel and pare apples, others indulge in dancing, drinking, and warm embraces.
An American painter and illustrator, Winslow Homer is known primarily for his depictions of the New England seaside and its residents. His career began in commercial lithography, working for illustrated magazines such as Harper’s Weekly. Fall Games—The Apple Bee is a model of Homer’s early print work as an engaging depiction of entertainment for the masses.
Guest author: Curatorial fellow Katy Turner
