Carrying the Wounded

"Carrying the Wounded," created by Winslow Homer in 1865, is a poignant drawing executed in graphite on wove paper. Dating to the immediate conclusion of the Civil War, this work captures the enduring human cost of the conflict, reflecting Homer’s unique position as an artist correspondent who witnessed the battlefield firsthand. The period spanning 1851 to 1875 was foundational for the artist, marking his transition from a prolific illustrator for publications like Harper’s Weekly to a dedicated fine artist. Homer utilized his experiences recording scenes of military life to inform the powerful realism evident in his later work.

The piece illustrates two Union soldiers struggling to support and transport an injured comrade across rough ground. The composition, although seemingly spontaneous, uses the natural grouping of the figures to emphasize their collective struggle and reliance on one another. Homer’s technique is characterized by loose, gestural lines and subtle shading, typical of rapid field sketches created under urgent circumstances. The immediacy of the graphite medium on the slightly textured wove paper effectively conveys the palpable weight and sheer fatigue of the rescue mission, focusing squarely on individual sacrifice and heroism rather than grand military spectacle.

As a crucial work from the American Civil War era, this drawing reflects Homer’s early mastery of rendering serious subject matter with emotional clarity. Much of Homer's output during this time was reproduced as widely circulated prints, bringing the grim reality of the conflict to a broader audience. This powerful example of drawing is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., where it serves as a significant record of the nation’s reconstruction period. Due to its historical importance and established age, high-quality imagery of this work is frequently found in the public domain, making reproductions and prints accessible for academic study and appreciation.