Artwork
Thanksgiving Day - Ways and Means
Thanksgiving Day - Ways and Means is a print by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
The overall atmosphere of the image is one of activity and movement, with the people and animals all seeming to be engaged in their own tasks.
This image shows a lively scene of people and turkeys. In the foreground, a group of turkeys are gathered near a wagon, while several people are engaged in various activities. One person is sitting on the wagon, while another is standing next to it, holding a long stick. A dog is also present, standing near the turkeys.
The scene appears to be set in a rural or countryside setting, with a large dome-shaped structure visible in the background. The overall atmosphere of the image is one of activity and movement, with the people and animals all seeming to be engaged in their own tasks.
The painting is held at The Cleveland Museum of Art, and was created by Winslow Homer in 1858. If you're interested in learning more about the artist, you might want to look up Winslow Homer.
Overview
Winslow Homer’s 1858 print *Thanksgiving Day – Ways and Means* captures a bustling rural tableau. The composition centers on a wagon surrounded by turkeys, people, and a dog, all engaged in various tasks that suggest the preparations and celebrations surrounding the holiday.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a communal scene of Thanksgiving activity: turkeys clustered near a wagon, a seated figure, another holding a long stick, and a dog observing. The inclusion of a dome‑shaped building in the distance situates the event in a countryside setting, emphasizing the agrarian roots of the holiday.
Technique & Style
Executed as a print, the work reflects Homer’s early illustrative approach, employing clear lines and strong contrasts to delineate figures and animals. The composition balances movement and stillness, using the foreground to draw attention to the turkeys while the background provides spatial depth.
History & Provenance
Created during Homer’s formative years as a commercial illustrator, the piece predates his later fame as a marine painter. It now belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of 19th‑century American prints.
Artist & collection
Artist
Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and illustrator, best known for his marine subjects.
![Thanksgiving Day - Ways and Means [upper left], by American 19th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/american-19th-century--thanksgiving-day-ways-and-means-upper-left--4cbc9b31489cb052-w320.webp)
