Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber before the Inauguration 16 - 1861

Editor: Here we have a drawing by Winslow Homer called "Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber before the Inauguration." There's such tension in their body language! What's your take on it? Curator: Well, consider the historical context. This image captures a pivotal moment on the eve of the Civil War. Buchanan, representing the old guard, literally passes the baton to Lincoln. Editor: I see what you mean! Buchanan looks burdened. Curator: Exactly. Homer is visually representing the weight of the nation's impending crisis. He's documenting the politics of that moment, isn't he? Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way. That makes the image much more powerful. Curator: It's a reminder of how art preserves and interprets critical historical moments.