Cavalry Soldier Loading a Rifle 1863 - 1864

"Cavalry Soldier Loading a Rifle" is a charcoal drawing created by American artist Winslow Homer in 1863-1864. The drawing features a soldier in a Union uniform, loading his rifle, depicted with a sense of realism and immediacy that is characteristic of Homer's work. This drawing showcases Homer’s artistic ability to capture the raw experience of war, offering a powerful insight into the realities of combat during the American Civil War. This piece, though a preliminary study, is considered one of Homer’s finest depictions of Union soldiers.