Prisoners from the Front
1866 Metropolitan Museum of Art
About this artwork
This iconic American painting depicts a Union officer facing three captured Confederate soldiers on a desolate, scarred battlefield. It was painted shortly after the end of the American Civil War and brought the artist significant critical acclaim.
Did you know?
Winslow Homer witnessed the Civil War firsthand as an artist-correspondent for Harper's Weekly, which heavily influenced the authenticity of this work. The Union officer depicted is actually based on Brigadier General Francis Channing Barlow, known for his stern and commanding presence. The painting became an immediate sensation when it was exhibited at the National Academy of Design, as it offered a nuanced look at the human cost of the war rather than focusing on glorification or heroics.
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Prisoners from the Front
Winslow Homer, 1866
