The Army of the Potomac—A Sharp-Shooter on Picket Duty

"The Army of the Potomac—A Sharp-Shooter on Picket Duty" by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910) is a potent visual record from the early years of the American Civil War, published in 1862 by Harper's Weekly. This historical document, created as a wood engraving on paper, was essential in bringing the realities of conflict directly to the public during a pivotal moment in the history of the United States.

As a special artist-correspondent covering the Union Army, Homer chose to focus not on epic battle narratives but on the daily experiences and individual strains of the common soldier. The work depicts a Union sharpshooter, hidden amongst foliage, in the tense posture of picket duty. Homer’s composition emphasizes the isolation and profound focus required of the figure, whose life depends upon silent observation and deadly precision. This detailed rendering established Homer’s reputation as an acute observer of military life, defining a unique genre within American printmaking that moved away from idealized combat scenes toward a journalistic realism.

The meticulous detail required for the wood engraving medium allowed Homer to transmit complex visual information quickly across the nation. The widespread dissemination of this image by Harper's Weekly illustrates the vital role that serialized prints played in shaping public understanding of the war. This important example of American graphic art, classified simply as a print, resides in the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Given its age and historical context, high-quality images of this powerful Winslow Homer piece are frequently made available through public domain collections, ensuring its continued study and accessibility.