Artwork
Thanksgiving Day in the Army - After Dinner: The Wish-Bone
Thanksgiving Day in the Army - After Dinner: The Wish-Bone is a print by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Thanksgiving Day in the Army - After Dinner: The Wish-Bone is a 1864 print by Winslow Homer, capturing a moment of camaraderie among soldiers during the American Civil War.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts three Union soldiers in a military camp, engaged in a lighthearted wishbone ritual after a meal, offering a poignant contrast to the harsh realities of war.
Technique & Style
Homer employed chiaroscuro to create depth and contrast, characteristic of his illustrative approach, honed from his beginnings in commercial illustration.
History & Provenance
Created in 1864, during Homer's period of documenting wartime experiences, the work reflects his transition from illustration to more nuanced, observant art forms.
Context
Set amidst the American Civil War, the piece provides a glimpse into the everyday, personal moments of soldiers, humanizing their experience amidst conflict.
Legacy
As part of Homer's wartime chronicles, *Thanksgiving Day in the Army* contributes to his legacy as a prominent 19th-century American artist, known for capturing the essence of American life.
Artist & collection
Artist
Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and illustrator, best known for his marine subjects.
