Soldiers and Cannon [verso]

The drawing Soldiers and Cannon [verso] by Winslow Homer, executed in 1862, captures a pivotal moment of the American Civil War era. Rendered in graphite on wove paper, this delicate work demonstrates Homer's early engagement with military life, a subject he explored extensively while working as an illustrator for Harper's Weekly. Classified formally as a drawing, this piece exemplifies the documentary style favored by artists observing the conflict during the turbulent period of 1851 to 1875.

Homer utilizes the sharp, precise qualities of graphite to quickly sketch the scene, likely serving as a preparatory study or a rapid journalistic observation intended for subsequent translation into published prints. The composition focuses on the heavy machinery of war, juxtaposing the powerful cannon with the figures of the soldiers maneuvering it. Although minimalist in detail, the piece conveys the intense labor and proximity required to operate artillery during the conflict. These early sketches were fundamental to Homer’s artistic development, allowing him to practice composition and figure studies that would inform his later, more celebrated paintings.

As a foundational record of mid-19th century American life, this work is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Given its historical importance and age, this drawing is frequently made available for study. Like many key American works from this period, high-resolution images of this piece often fall into the public domain, allowing researchers, students, and enthusiasts unrestricted access to the initial studies that defined the artistry of the Civil War generation.