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Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber before the Inauguration

Winslow Homer , 1861

Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber before the Inauguration, by Winslow Homer, 1861
Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber before the Inauguration, by Winslow Homer, 1861

Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber before the Inauguration is a print by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.
1942.1240
Credit line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

About this work

Overview

This 1861 print by Winslow Homer captures a pivotal moment in American history as Presidents James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln enter the Senate Chamber on Lincoln’s inauguration day.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts the brief transfer of power between the 15th and 16th U.S. presidents. Buchanan, holding hat and gloves, and Lincoln, with clasped hands, exchange greetings amidst a somber, observant crowd, highlighting the gravity of the occasion.

Technique & Style

Executed as a quick sketch, the piece features rough lines and simplified details, characteristic of Homer’s illustrative background. Its realism emphasizes the authenticity of the moment over ornate embellishments.

History & Provenance

Created in 1861 by the largely self-taught artist Winslow Homer, transitioning from illustration to more refined mediums. The print is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.

President Lincoln, General Grant, and Tad Lincoln at a Railway Station
President Lincoln, General Grant, and Tad Lincoln at a Railway Station, Winslow Homer

Artist & collection

Portrait of Winslow Homer

Artist

Winslow Homer

Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and illustrator, best known for his marine subjects.

MORE BY WINSLOW HOMER

VISUALLY SIMILAR

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber before the Inauguration?

Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber before the Inauguration was painted by Winslow Homer in 1861.

Where can I see Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber before the Inauguration?

Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber before the Inauguration is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber before the Inauguration?

Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber before the Inauguration is associated with Impressionism.