A Sharpshooter on Picket Duty

1864

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century hunting

Dominant colour

A Sharpshooter on Picket Duty is a 1864 by Winslow Homer, a Impressionism work, depicting hunting, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Winslow Homer
When & what style?: 1864 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

The painting shows a soldier sitting on a tree stump, holding a rifle. He's dressed in a uniform and hat, looking out into the distance. The scene is quiet and still, with the soldier lost in thought. The soldier's pose and expression suggest he's waiting and watching. This was a common scene during the American Civil War, when soldiers had to be on guard at all times. To learn more about this style, look up the technique of chiaroscuro.