Caravan with Covered Wagons Resting [recto]

Caravan with Covered Wagons Resting [recto] by Winslow Homer, dated 1861, is a significant example of American drawing from the mid-nineteenth century. This work employs graphite alongside subtle applications of watercolor on wove paper, showcasing the artist's early mastery of illustrative technique. Classified strictly as a drawing, this piece provides an intimate view of movement and rest during a pivotal moment in the period spanning 1851 to 1875.

Executed just as the American Civil War commenced, the subject matter of covered wagons resting takes on a dual resonance, representing both traditional imagery of westward expansion and the critical theme of military logistics or supply transport inherent in the looming conflict. Homer captures the momentary stillness of a journey, emphasizing the heavy forms of the wagons and suggesting the environment and human presence surrounding the travelers. The composition anticipates the graphic clarity that would define much of Homer’s later American output as he increasingly turned his focus to documenting life during wartime and its aftermath.

Homer utilized the combination of sharp graphite lines to establish structure and form, complemented by delicate washes of watercolor lending atmospheric effect. This approach demonstrates the quick, observational methods the artist often employed in his field sketches and illustrations meant for reproduction in popular journals like Harper's Weekly. The drawing conveys energy and movement even in a scene of inactivity.

This important piece of Caravan with Covered Wagons Resting [recto] is housed in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. The drawing serves as essential documentation of early Civil War era life and provides insight into Homer’s development as a visual reporter. Due to its age and historical importance within the American artistic canon, this image is often released into the public domain, allowing researchers and enthusiasts access to high-resolution prints for study and appreciation.