The Battle of Bunker Hill—Watching the Fight from Copp's Hill, in Boston

The Battle of Bunker Hill—Watching the Fight from Copp's Hill, in Boston, created by Winslow Homer and published by Harper's Weekly in 1875, is a significant example of commemorative prints produced during the American centennial era. Rendered as a finely detailed wood engraving on paper, this medium was crucial in disseminating historical and contemporary events across the United States. The practice of producing such detailed prints allowed periodicals to reach a wide, mass-market audience, cementing Homer’s reputation as a masterful illustrator of American life and history before his shift to painting.

Homer’s composition is notable for its interpretation of a pivotal Revolutionary War engagement. Rather than focusing on traditional battlefield heroics or specific military figures, the artist places the viewer among the spectators gathered atop Copp's Hill in Boston, observing the distant conflict signaled by smoke and fire rising on the horizon. The piece captures the public’s engagement with history, showing a cross-section of society unified by their observance of the foundational struggle. This visual strategy was particularly resonant in 1875, prompting reflection on the nation's origins just prior to the official 1876 anniversary. This impression of The Battle of Bunker Hill—Watching the Fight from Copp's Hill, in Boston is maintained within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, illustrating the visual storytelling power available through commercial printmaking. Many of Homer's influential works from this period have subsequently entered the public domain.