Filling Cartridges at the United States Arsenal, at Watertown, Massachusetts

1861

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Interior

Dominant colour

Filling Cartridges at the United States Arsenal, at Watertown, Massachusetts is a 1861 by Winslow Homer, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Winslow Homer
When & what style?: 1861 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This image shows a crowded workshop where people are loading bullets into cartridges. The room is filled with long tables, rifles, and shelves holding hats and tools. Everyone is focused on their work, some sitting, some standing, all dressed in dark clothes and hats. The drawing was made in 1861, right before the U.S. Civil War. The caption at the bottom confirms this is a scene from the Watertown Arsenal in Massachusetts. If you like this kind of detailed, everyday work scene, check out Realism next.