On Guard
1864 Smithsonian American Art Museum
About this artwork
An oil on canvas depicting a lone soldier seated on a log in an open field, holding a rifle upright. The work captures a quiet moment of wartime surveillance during the American Civil War.
Did you know?
Winslow Homer worked as a freelance illustrator during the American Civil War, often depicting the mundane, contemplative aspects of camp life rather than direct combat. 'On Guard' reflects his ability to humanize the soldier experience, focusing on the pervasive sense of solitude and boredom that defined much of the conflict for the average enlistee.
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On Guard
Winslow Homer, 1864
