Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber Before the Inauguration 1861

Winslow Homer's wood engraving "Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber Before the Inauguration" (1861) depicts a pivotal moment in American history, the transfer of power from President Buchanan to President Lincoln. The scene, taken from a sketch in Harper's Weekly, shows the two men walking through the Senate chamber, their faces etched with solemnity. The composition, focused on the figures of the presidents, highlights the weight of the moment and the transition of power amidst a nation on the brink of civil war. This piece is an important historical document and a powerful illustration of one of the most critical periods in U.S. history.