Winslow Homer: Abraham Lincoln Print

Winslow Homer Civil War Art:

Abraham Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber

The illustration at right is the third of three Winslow Homer illustrations featured in the March 16, 1861 edition of Harper's Weekly.  This edition of Harper's marked Winslow Homer's transition from the role of lithographer at Harper's Weekly to the role of illustrator.  It is hard to imagine a more important assignment than to cover the Presidential Inauguration.  This assignment represented a major step forward in Homer's career.

March 16, 1861 - Abraham Lincoln Enters Senate Chamber with President Buchanan

The image shows Mr. Lincoln entering the Senate Chamber with President Buchanan, immediately prior to Mr. Lincoln's inauguration.  Lincoln is shown with his left hand on President Buchanan's arm, and his right hand over his heart, inside his shirt.

This image would indicate that Homer was given access to all aspects of the inauguration, including the proceedings inside the Senate Chambers.  This, no doubt, was a big day for the budding artist.

A Note to our Readers

We acquired the images above for the purpose of digitally persevering them on this site for all to enjoy.  With the digital archive complete, we are making the original, 140 year old illustrations available for purchase.  By selling these original illustrations, we are able to acquire more material to archive on this site.  If you are interested in purchasing one of the original Harper's Weekly leafs on this page, contact paul@sonofthesouth.net The leafs are available for a price of $250 a piece, and the proceeds will go to continue to expand the resources on this site.