Thanksgiving Day in the Army—After Dinner: The Wish Bone

"Thanksgiving Day in the Army—After Dinner: The Wish Bone" by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910) is a compelling wood engraving on paper, originally disseminated to the American public through the illustrated periodical Harper’s Weekly in 1864. This print provided civilians in the United States with an intimate view of Union army life during the height of the Civil War, showcasing moments of domesticity and respite rather than battle scenes.

Created through the demanding process of wood engraving, the work displays Homer’s characteristic sharp line work and focus on narrative clarity. The composition centers on a group of soldiers gathered around a temporary table, engaged in the traditional holiday ritual of pulling a wishbone after their Thanksgiving meal. This quiet moment suggests a universal longing for home, peace, or good fortune, emphasizing the vulnerability and human spirit of the soldiers enduring prolonged separation and conflict.

Homer, who frequently served as an artist-correspondent during the war, used the medium of prints to chronicle these crucial yet often overlooked experiences. His ability to capture the psychological nuance of military life cemented his reputation. This poignant work, which serves as both historical documentation and fine art, is a key example of American prints created during this pivotal era. Today, the enduring historical value of this subject makes reproductions widely accessible through public domain archives. This significant impression of Thanksgiving Day in the Army—After Dinner: The Wish Bone is part of the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.