Prisoners from the Front
Winslow Homer, 1866
About this artwork
**Prisoners from the Front**1866) by Winslow Homer captures a pivotal moment at the close of the American Civil War. Painted in oil on canvas (24 x 38 inches), this work depicts Union soldiers escorting three captured Confederate prisoners near Petersburg, Virginia, in April 1865—just days after Robert E. Lee's surrender. Homer, a renowned Realist who served as a special correspondent for *Harper's Weekly*, drew from his frontline sketches to portray the raw realities of war's end, emphasizing the stark contrasts between the disciplined Northern captors and the ragged, defiant Southerners. Homer's masterful use of light and shadow heightens the drama: the bright, open field symbolizes hope and Union triumph, while the prisoners' worn uniforms and proud stances reflect Southern resilience amid defeat. His precise brushwork and earthy palette reject romanticism, aligning with the Realist movement's commitment to unflinching truth. Displayed in The Met's American Wing, this piece underscores the war's human cost and the dawn of Reconstruction. A gift to the museum in 1922, it remains a powerful emblem of national healing, inviting viewers to reflect on unity forged through conflict.