Picturing America - Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Winslow Homer | Social Studies, The Arts | Video

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6-12

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Auditory, Visual

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Contains Violence

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Funder: National Endowment for the Humanities

Funder: Institute of Museum and Library Services

Picturing America - Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Winslow Homer

Learn about the Civil War through the art of Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Winslow Homer in this video from Picturing America on Screen. Saint-Gaudens's Robert Shaw Memorial in Boston Common depicts a resonant, courageous act of the Civil War, in which the first regiment of African American soldiers recruited in the North for the Union Army fought a doomed battle on a South Carolina fortress.

The Winslow Homer image of a soldier returning to his farm after the Civil War in The Veteran in a New Field refers to both the desolation of war and the country’s hope for the future. While the farmer’s scythe called to mind the bloodiest battles fought—and lives lost—in fields of grain, the bountiful crop of golden wheat could also be seen as a Christian symbol of salvation.

Picturing America is a project of the National Endowment for the Humanities, carried out in partnership with the American Library Association, which provides an innovative way to experience America’s history through our nation’s art. Visit the Picturing America website to learn more. For more videos like this, visit Picturing America on Screen.

Support Materials

Discussion Questions

When Frederick Douglass posted a broadside around the country with the heading “Men of Color, To Arms!” what message did he wish to convey?
Who does the Shaw Memorial commemorate? Describe the significance of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment and its leader. What was the central controversy surrounding this Regiment during the Civil War?
Describe the attack on Fort Wagner. What did the outcome of this battle prove?
What was Winslow Homer’s job during the Civil War? Based on the video, how would you describe his attitude about the war?
There are several references to the scythe in the video. Describe how it is used in the painting. What does it symbolize?
Why do you think the filmmaker chose to present these works of art in the same film? Use evidence from the film to support your answer.

For Teachers

Teaching Tips

Guide your students in a close reading of the informational texts below in the "For Teachers" section. Download Augustus Saint-Gaudens: Shaw Memorial, 1884-1897 and Winslow Homer: The Veteran in a New Field, 1865 and make copies for each student.

Begin by having students read the essay silently. Next, read the essay aloud to the class and have students follow along.

Direct students to refer to the text as they answer the questions below.

A Close Reading of "Augustus Saint-Gaudens: Shaw Memorial, 1884-1897"

What makes the Robert Shaw Memorial unique? What did Shaw’s family find objectionable about the original design for the memorial? What change did Augustus Saint-Gaudens make in the design of the sculpture?
What did Lewis Douglass say about the 54th Regiment after the Battle of Fort Wagner? How does his statement relate to the character of the Regiment and their reputation as soldiers?
The essay describes the battle at Fort Wagner as a “paradoxical military episode.” What was paradoxical about it? How is that paradox symbolized in the winged figure found in the sculpture?
According to the essay, what stands out about Shaw in the sculpture? How are the soldiers depicted? How did Saint-Gaudens accomplish this?

A Close Reading of "Winslow Homer: The Veteran in a New Field, 1865"

What specific period does the painting The Veteran in a New Field depict?
According to the essay, what did Homer mean by the words “new field” in the title of the painting? Is it a literal or figurative reference? Use evidence from the text to explain your answer.
Why did Homer ultimately choose to paint an outdated single-bladed scythe rather than the cradle scythe that was in use at the time of the painting? How does Homer’s choice to use one tool over the other reflect on the career of the soldier who has just returned to his fields from the war?
Describe the conflicting emotions experienced by Americans at the end of the Civil War.
According to the essay, what does the golden wheat symbolize? How might the image of a field of golden wheat impact Homer’s audience? By making these choices, what is the artist saying to his audience?

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Visit the NEH Picturing America website to find more innovative ways to integrate works of American art into your teaching.