Battle of Bunker Hill - Watching the Fight from Copp's Hill in Boston 1875

Curator: This is "Battle of Bunker Hill - Watching the Fight from Copp's Hill in Boston," designed by Winslow Homer. Editor: It’s striking how much the figures dominate – almost a stage play backdrop of conflict. You see the texture of those roof shingles so clearly. Curator: The print appeared in Harper’s Weekly, placing the viewer in the immediate present of historical events through the dissemination of imagery. Editor: I’m drawn to the process and material, the line work, and how this image circulated. It served to inform a wide audience about a significant moment, really influencing opinion. Curator: And the depiction of civilians viewing the battle brings that event closer to the everyday experience of its readership. It’s immediate. Editor: It makes you think about labor, too – the labor required to produce these prints, making history accessible. Curator: Indeed. It’s fascinating to consider the role images like this played in shaping public understanding of the Revolution. Editor: Absolutely, and how the materials themselves became agents in shaping that understanding.