Artwork

Thanksgiving in Camp

Thanksgiving in Camp, by American 19th Century, ink, 1862
Thanksgiving in Camp, by American 19th Century, ink, 1862

Thanksgiving in Camp is an ink print by the Impressionist artist American 19th Century. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Thanksgiving in Camp is a wood engraving on newsprint depicting a nighttime scene of soldiers gathered around a campfire.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows soldiers eating, conversing, or resting near a fire, with a tent in the background labeled 'Hardtack' and 'Sutler', indicating a military camp setting. The image conveys a sense of camaraderie and hardship.

Technique & Style

The engraving features fine lines that capture details such as the soldiers' expressions and the camp's rough conditions, characteristic of newsprint illustrations of the time.

Context

The work was created using a wood engraving technique, where artists carved images into wood blocks for printing.

Artist & collection

Portrait of American 19th Century

Artist

American 19th Century

This artist painted everyday American life in the 1800s. Look at *Farmhouse in Mahantango Valley*—a quiet, sunlit scene of rural Pennsylvania. *Boy and Girl* shows two children standing close, their faces turned toward…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.