Holiday in Camp – Soldiers Playing "Foot-Ball" – Sketched by Winslow Homer (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. IX)

The influential wood engraving, Holiday in Camp – Soldiers Playing "Foot-Ball" – Sketched by Winslow Homer (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. IX), was published in 1865 during the concluding months of the American Civil War. This print exemplifies Winslow Homer’s role as a special artist and correspondent for the widely circulated illustrated magazine Harper’s Weekly. Executed as a wood engraving, a common form of mass-media illustration in the mid-19th century, the image captures a rare moment of organized leisure and sporting activity.

Homer frequently documented the non-combat realities of the conflict, choosing subjects that highlighted the human experience of the soldiers rather than just battlefield heroism. The scene centers on a large group of men engaged in a strenuous, improvisational game of "foot-ball" played on an open field adjacent to their camp. The composition effectively conveys the motion and energy of the players, illustrating the camaraderie and vital efforts by the soldiers to counter the inherent boredom of military life during the Civil War.

This work secured Homer’s reputation for keen observational skill and naturalism, distinguishing his contribution to the visual record of the conflict. The image contrasts sharply with his other period depictions of fighting and duty, showing the men in moments of temporary release. Today, this historically significant print remains part of the extensive collection of American prints and drawings held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a major publication from 1865, high-resolution reproductions of this print are often made available through public domain art initiatives.