Supply Train and Mules [verso]

Supply Train and Mules [verso] is a powerful graphite drawing executed by Winslow Homer in 1864. Created on wove paper, this work captures a logistical scene from the American Civil War, reflecting Homer’s crucial role as an embedded artist and correspondent for Harper’s Weekly. The year 1864 marks the peak of the artist’s wartime documentation, where he focused not only on the heat of battle but also on the often-overlooked realities of supply, transport, and daily camp life.

The drawing is characterized by the immediacy and economy of line typical of quick field sketches. Homer utilizes graphite with precision, defining the heavy forms of the moving supply wagons and the robust musculature of the mules, which were the indispensable engines of military movement. As a verso drawing, this piece may have functioned as a preliminary study or a rapid capture of an observed moment, yet it already displays the sharp observational skill and narrative clarity that would define Homer’s mature output. The composition emphasizes the tireless effort involved in moving materiel, underscoring how vital transport animals were to the functionality of the Union Army during the conflict.

This work contributes significantly to understanding Homer’s development in the 1851 to 1875 period, showcasing his early mastery of draftsmanship before he transitioned predominantly to oil painting. His unflinching documentation established him as a major figure in American art, capturing historical moments without romanticism. The drawing is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, providing insight into the foundational studies of this influential artist. Because of the historical relevance of the work and the practice of museums to digitize their holdings, high-resolution prints and images of this study are sometimes made available to researchers through various public domain initiatives.