Hon. Stephen A. Douglas
1859
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1859
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man in a dark suit with a white shirt and bow tie. His hair is combed back, and he’s looking straight ahead with a serious expression. The lines on his face and clothes are drawn sharply, giving it a clear, etched look. The name at the bottom reads "Hon. Stephen A. Douglas," but the artist’s style here isn’t the bold brushwork Homer later used. Instead, this early work leans toward precise lines and strong contrasts. If you like this style, check out Realism for more portraits that focus on exact details.
