The Coolest Spot in New England – Summit of Mount Washington Homer (from "Harper's Bazar," Vol. III)
July 23, 1870
Medium
Wood engraving
Dimensions
image: 13 3/4 x 9 1/8 in. (34.9 x 23.2 cm) sheet: 15 15/16 x 11 1/8 in. (40.5 x 28.2 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1933
Accession Number
33.21.8(2)
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created by Winslow Homer in 1870, this wood engraving captures the lively scene at the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire’s highest peak. Published in Harper’s Bazaar, the image portrays visitors enjoying the refreshing mountain air, reflecting the era’s growing enthusiasm for outdoor recreation and scenic tourism in New England. The title playfully highlights the spot’s reputation as a cool retreat during summer months. Homer, celebrated for his early work as an illustrator, brought a keen eye for everyday American life to such magazine prints. Wood engravings like this one allowed hi...
About the Artist
Winslow Homer · 1836–1910
Winslow Homer (1836-1910) was one of America's greatest painters and a preeminent figure in 19th-century American art. Largely self-taught, Homer began his career as a commercial illustrator and Civil War correspondent for Harper's Weekly before becoming renowned for his powerful marine subjects and landscape paintings. His mastery of both oil and watercolor, combined with his uncompromising reali...