Winter outdoor scene on country lane. Horses, sleighs, passengers. Two sleighs collide at center and passengers thrown into snow, others stop to help.
Many Currier & Ives prints depicted sentimental rural scenes as a way to promote the American dream and the idea of a promised land. The American Homestead Series illustrates traditional New England homes through the various seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn. These prints celebrated the beauty, order and prosperity of the growing nation, as if all Americans shared this ideal. Interestingly, Currier & Ives opted not to include city dwellings in the series which would have been appropriate given the demographic changes taking place at the time. Instead they focused on highly nostalgic rural scenes which were very popular. Sleigh rides were a fashionable pastime in Victorian America. Currier & Ives created many images that depicted recreation activities and the lighter side of life.
