Winter scene. Oxen pulling skid of logs at foreground center. Couple being greeted at doorway to house on right. Man in doorway of barn left background.

Lithographed by John Schutler American, birth and death dates unknown. After George Henry Durrie American, 1820-1863.

One of Currier & Ives’ most recognized images, Home to Thanksgiving, illustrates the satisfaction and contentment of a city man returning to his country home to celebrate this traditional American holiday. He steps away from his elegant horse-drawn carriage to meet his welcoming parents at the front door. George Durrie, nicknamed ‘the snowman,” was known for his peaceful and idealized snow scenes of New England. Here he shows the roofs of the buildings as well as the ground blanketed with white fluffy snow. The animals are healthy and the buildings are in good repair. The shiny quality of the paint on the tree trunks is a result of gum arabic, a substance added to watercolor to increase brightness and gloss.