Figure on Horseback and Other Studies [verso]

The detailed drawing Figure on Horseback and Other Studies [verso] by Winslow Homer, dated 1861, is an important example of the artist’s early skill in draftsmanship. Executed in graphite on wove paper, this work falls under the classification of Drawing, a crucial medium Homer utilized for immediate observation and preparatory sketches. Created at the very precipice of the American Civil War, the studies reflect the busy period surrounding the onset of conflict, when Homer was frequently capturing scenes of military life and public activity for publications.

As implied by the title, this sheet contains multiple notations, characteristic of an artist practicing rapid observation or experimenting with figural arrangements. Homer’s technique here emphasizes efficiency and vitality; the graphite line work is decisive yet often incomplete, prioritizing gesture and movement over finished detail. The central subject, the figure on horseback, likely relates to the numerous cavalry and soldier images the artist produced as an illustrator during this era, capturing the motion and scale required for journalistic reportage. As a verso study, the image provides valuable insight into the working methods of the artist, revealing how he repurposed materials and quickly jotted down observations that would later inform his more formalized oils and illustrations.

This work represents the burgeoning phase of the artist’s career within the broader American culture of the mid-nineteenth century. Belonging to the period extending from 1851 to 1875, this drawing precedes Homer’s transition to his most mature subject matter, yet already displays the characteristic realism that defined his later career. The historical significance of this study is recognized by its inclusion in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. As a historical piece of American heritage, high-quality images and related prints of these early Homer studies are often made available through public domain initiatives, allowing widespread access for researchers studying the foundations of his prolific output.