Artwork

Rebels Outside Their Works at Yorktown Reconnoitering with Dark Lanterns

Rebels Outside Their Works at Yorktown Reconnoitering with Dark Lanterns is a print by the Impressionist artist Winslow Homer. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Rebels Outside Their Works at Yorktown Reconnoitering with Dark Lanterns is a print created by Winslow Homer in 1862, an early work in his career as he transitioned from commercial illustration to painting.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a nighttime scene of soldiers gathered around a makeshift structure in the woods, illuminated only by a lantern, conveying a sense of tension and anticipation.

Technique & Style

Homer's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that exploits strong contrasts between light and dark, is evident in the work, reflecting his observational precision developed through his early illustrative work.

History & Provenance

The work is part of a body of images Homer created documenting the American Civil War, and is now held by The Cleveland Museum of Art.