John Edward Costigan Etching, 'Going Home'

This is an original black and white etching and drypoint on paper by American artist John Edward Costigan (1888–1972). The artwork depicts a rural scene featuring a family in transit, with a woman holding a child in the foreground and figures guiding a horse-drawn plowing or work team in the background. The composition is characterized by heavy, expressive linework and dramatic tonal contrasts, typical of Costigan's social-realist style which often centered on the dignity of labor and family life. The print displays visible plate marks and appears to be hand-signed by the artist in the lower right margin, with a possible title or edition notation in the lower left. The piece is housed under glass within a matted frame. Regarding condition, there is notable reflection on the glass surface making a full assessment difficult; however, the paper appears slightly toned, which is consistent with its mid-20th-century age (circa 1930s-1950s). The fine hatchings demonstrate a high level of craftsmanship and masterly control of the etching needle. The overall aesthetic is evocative of the American Scene painting movement and the Depression era.