Winslow Homer (American, 1836–1910). "A Youth, who bore, 'mid snow and ice, / A banner with the strange device, Excelsior," 1878. Wood engraving, Image: 3 1/8 x 3 1/4 in. (7.9 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Harvey Isbitts, 1998.105.198 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1998.105.198_bw.jpg)
Winslow Homer (American, 1836–1910). "A Youth, who bore, 'mid snow and ice, / A banner with the strange device, Excelsior," 1878. Wood engraving, Image: 3 1/8 x 3 1/4 in. (7.9 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Harvey Isbitts, 1998.105.198 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1998.105.198_page_bw.jpg)
"A Youth, who bore, 'mid snow and ice, / A banner with the strange device, Excelsior"
American Art
Homer was often commissioned to illustrate the work of such respected contemporary authors as Longfellow, William Cullen Bryant, and John Greenleaf Whittier. Their poems frequently appeared in gift books, which were usually decorative, deluxe editions of poetry or a single poem that were published each autumn for the Christmas season. The four illustrations for Excelsior on view here were also published the same year as Homer’s contribution for the gift book Christmastide. The highly symbolic poem about the tragic end of youthful genius driven by the irresistible motive to excel did not translate well into visual form and these images lack the naturalism that infuses most of Homer’s art. Here the “strange” youth of the poem sets out on his solitary Alpine climb to the heights of achievement.
MEDIUM
Wood engraving
DATES
1878
DIMENSIONS
Image: 3 1/8 x 3 1/4 in. (7.9 x 8.3 cm)
Sheet: 8 1/2 x 6 in. (21.6 x 15.2 cm)
Frame: 20 x 15 x 1 1/2 in. (50.8 x 38.1 x 3.8 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
American Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
1998.105.198
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Harvey Isbitts
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Winslow Homer (American, 1836–1910). "A Youth, who bore, 'mid snow and ice, / A banner with the strange device, Excelsior," 1878. Wood engraving, Image: 3 1/8 x 3 1/4 in. (7.9 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Harvey Isbitts, 1998.105.198 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1998.105.198_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 1998.105.198_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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