Prisoners of War 1864

Winslow Homer created this drawing, "Prisoners of War," using graphite on paper, and it immediately evokes a sense of stark solemnity. The composition is dominated by a cluster of figures, seemingly adrift in a field, rendered with quick, decisive lines. The artist uses line to define form with minimal shading; this technique lends the work an unfinished quality, heightening its emotional impact. The figures are placed in such a way that the empty space around them becomes a significant element. The sketch destabilizes the traditional war narrative. The absence of dramatic action focuses attention on the psychological impact of conflict, making it a study of human experience under duress. Look at the repeated depiction of one of the men's faces in the top of the artwork. The use of repetition here, disrupts the notion of a fixed, coherent image of the soldiers. The prisoners' features are subtly rendered, yet filled with depth. This drawing invites contemplation about the unseen effects of war.