Pay Day in the Army of the Potomac Possibly 1863

"Pay Day in the Army of the Potomac" (1863) by Winslow Homer depicts the bustling scene of soldiers receiving their wages during the American Civil War. The artwork, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, uses a dynamic composition to capture the energy of the event, with soldiers crammed together and engaged in various activities, including sending money home, playing cards, and writing letters. Homer’s depiction of the event captures a moment of human connection and relief amidst the harsh realities of war.