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Winslow Homer , (Feb 24, 1836–Sep 29, 1910)

Our Watering-Places—The Empty Sleeve at Newport.

1865
9 3/8 in. x 13 13/16 in. (23.81 cm x 35.08 cm)

Medium and Support: wood engraving on wove paper

Credit Line: museum purchase

Accession Number: 1989.74

Commentary

Published in Harper’s Weekly on the heels of the Civil War, Homer’s wood engraving depicts a woman driving a stage coach while her love sits beside her with an empty sleeve pinned to his coat. Though Homer’s portrayal of the woman appears empowering, the story that was written to accompany it in Harper’s reveals a much more complex struggle with gender roles. Having lost his arm, Captain Ash is grappling with both his own manhood and Edna Ackland’s new skill, which he deems “unwomanly.” In the end, however, he rests easier knowing that she learned to drive out of love for him, and he concludes that though she holds the reins, “his voice guides her.”

Exhibition List

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

Winslow Homer at the Addison Addison Gallery of American Art , 4/12/1990 - 7/31/1990
Director's Choice: A Fresh Look at Winslow Homer Addison Gallery of American Art , 9/7/2004 - 2/27/2005
From the Front Line Addison Gallery of American Art , 1/9/2007 - 4/15/2007
Stone, Wood, Metal, Mesh: Prints and Printmaking Addison Gallery of American Art , 1/19/2013 - 3/17/2013
4 x 4 Addison Gallery of American Art , 9/1/2018 - 7/31/2019
Man Up! Visualizing Masculinity in 19th-Century America Addison Gallery of American Art , 12/21/2019 - 4/5/2020

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