Life in Camp, Part 2: The Girl He Left Behind 1864

"Life in Camp, Part 2: The Girl He Left Behind" is a small-scale work on paper by Winslow Homer, dating from 1864. The piece, depicting a young woman seated in a chair and reading a letter, captures the melancholic theme of separation during the Civil War. Homer's use of delicate lines and subtle color create a sense of intimacy and quietude, making the woman's solitude all the more poignant. This work, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a prime example of Homer's early career as an illustrator and showcases his masterful use of black and white for dramatic effect.