Prisoners of War 1864

Winslow Homer's "Prisoners of War" is a pencil sketch depicting three Confederate soldiers captured during the American Civil War. The artwork, dated 1864, features a spare and realistic style that reflects the grim realities of the war. The soldiers, drawn in a quick, gestural style, are shown standing with their hands bound behind their backs, their heads bowed in defeat. Homer's stark depiction of the soldiers' weariness and vulnerability highlights the human cost of war and the devastating impact it had on individuals on both sides of the conflict.