Artwork

The Union Cavalry and Artillery Starting in Pursuit of the Rebels up the Yorktown Turnpike

The Union Cavalry and Artillery Starting in Pursuit of the Rebels up the Yorktown Turnpike is a print by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

This painting is called The Union Cavalry and Artillery Starting in Pursuit of the Rebels up the Yorktown Turnpike.

It was made in 1862, a time of war in the United States. This fact makes the painting interesting because it shows a moment in history.

You can learn more about American art during this time by looking into the movement of Realism.

Overview

Created in 1862, *The Union Cavalry and Artillery Starting in Pursuit of the Rebels up the Yorktown Turnpike* is a print by Winslow Homer, capturing a dynamic moment during the American Civil War.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts Union cavalry and artillery in pursuit of Confederate forces along the Yorktown Turnpike, documenting a specific wartime event and reflecting Homer's early interest in contemporary historical subjects.

Technique & Style

As a largely self-taught artist transitioning from commercial illustration, Homer's technique in this work likely blends detailed observation with emerging artistic sensibilities, though specific medium details are not provided here.

History & Provenance

Produced during the Civil War, the print's creation context is well-documented, but subsequent ownership and exhibition histories are not detailed in available information.

Context

This work is associated with American Realism, a movement emphasizing truthful depictions of everyday life and historical events, in this case, the turmoil of the Civil War.

Legacy

While marking an early phase in Homer's career focused on wartime subjects, its impact on his later, more renowned coastal themes or broader influence on war art is not explicitly defined in the provided context.