Crew of U.S. Steamsloop "Colorado," Shipped at Boston, June 1861 (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. 5, p. 439) 1861

Winslow Homer created this print of the "Crew of U.S. Steamsloop 'Colorado'" in June 1861 for *Harper's Weekly*. The composition, with its grid-like arrangement of figures, creates a sense of collective identity tempered by the individual faces and stances of the men. Homer's use of line and texture emphasizes the materiality of the sailors' uniforms and the ship's wooden deck. Notice how the strong contrast between light and shadow not only defines the forms but also adds a dramatic tension to the scene. This is a kind of semiotic representation of the historical context, reflecting the uncertainty and gravity of the American Civil War. The print's aesthetic lies in its ability to capture a specific moment in time, while simultaneously suggesting the larger historical narratives at play. Through Homer’s formal techniques, the image functions as a complex cultural document that invites continual interpretation.