Sketch of Soldiers Eating
Classification
figures
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Savage Homer, Jr.
Accession Number
1912-12-177-a
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Winslow Homer (18361910), a pioneering realist, created *Sketch of Soldiers Eating* 1862, at the height of the Civil War. As a special artist-correspondent for *Harper's Weekly*, Homer embedded with Union troops, producing rapid sketches that brought the realities of war to the public. This drawing captures a quiet, human moment amid the chaos—soldiers pausing for a meal—reflecting Homer's skill in portraying everyday life with unvarnished authenticity. Classified as a figure study, the sketch exemplifies Homer's early graphite or watercolor techniques on paper, which served as preparatory wo...