Winslow Homer depicts America, 1863-1909

Winslow Homer depicts America's yearnings, beliefs, and lifestyles through his artwork from 1863 to 1909. He changes his work's themes with the changes in America. His national themes that are historical, philosophical and artistic embrace a wide spectrum of American life of his era.;For this thesis, Homer's original works were analyzed. Books were read about his works, everyday life of this era, Civil War, popular social movements, Reconstruction, ship building, fishing, and industrial revolution. Visits were made to the coast near Gloucester and Prout's Neck and to museums about Homer's works, everyday life, Civil war, Reconstruction, ship building, fishing, and industrial revolution.;In conclusion, Homer's works from 1863 to 1880 accurately portray lifestyles of that era, but his later works depict more universal philosophical themes, humans versus nature and the order of nature that were of interest to Americans then and are still applicable today.