Colonel Wilson, of Wilson's Brigade, and Colonel Ellsworth, of the Fire Zouaves

Colonel Wilson, of Wilson's Brigade, and Colonel Ellsworth, of the Fire Zouaves, created by Winslow Homer and published in Harper’s Weekly in 1861, is an important early work that captures the initial fervor and emerging leadership of the American Civil War. This genre of journalistic illustration cemented Homer's early career before he transitioned into oil painting, demonstrating his capacity to translate contemporary events into powerful visual narratives.

The work is executed as a wood engraving on paper, a medium crucial for rapidly disseminating information and imagery to the public during the conflict. As a print, the piece was designed for wide circulation across the United States, providing citizens with immediate, albeit stylized, depictions of key military figures. Dating from the initial outbreak of hostilities, this image highlights two significant personalities: Colonel Wilson and the charismatic Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, whose dramatic death in May 1861 made him a martyr for the Union cause.

Homer, working as an illustrator for the influential periodical Harper’s Weekly, quickly established his reputation through these graphic representations of military life and commanders. The composition adheres to the conventions of 19th-century portraiture, emphasizing the heroic stature of the subjects while maintaining the graphic clarity necessary for successful wood engravings. The historical value of this artwork, which depicts the early stages of a defining national struggle, makes it a significant document of American history and an essential component of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection of works on paper. Today, as a historically significant piece, the image is often considered part of the public domain.