The Grand Review At Camp Massachusetts, Near Concord

The Grand Review At Camp Massachusetts, Near Concord is a significant early work by Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910), created just before the tumultuous years of the Civil War. Published in 1859 by the influential American periodical, Harper's Weekly, this piece showcases the artist's burgeoning talent for capturing scenes of daily life and military preparations. The medium utilized is a wood engraving on paper, a technique essential for the mass reproduction and rapid distribution of visual reportage throughout the United States.

The subject captures a formal military inspection at Camp Massachusetts, located near Concord. This review highlights the growing importance of state militias and volunteer units in the period leading up to the great national conflict, demonstrating a widespread cultural preoccupation with military readiness. Homer, operating primarily as an illustrator for the journal, specialized in drawing these large-scale scenes for reproduction in the popular press. The detailed composition depicts the precise formations of the soldiers alongside gathered onlookers, offering valuable historical insight into the uniforms and logistics of mid-nineteenth century military training.

This work’s classification as a print reflects the widespread distribution necessary for Harper’s Weekly. Homer’s early career flourished through such illustrations before his shift to oil painting, making works like The Grand Review At Camp Massachusetts, Near Concord crucial documentary records as well as artistic expressions. Its existence as an early commercial print often places it among historical materials frequently found in the public domain today. This important example of American graphic journalism from 1859 is held within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.