The Huntington Acquires Rare Civil War Painting

The Huntington announced today that it has acquired Winslow Homer’s The Sutler’s Tent (1863), a rare Civil War painting that documents the artist’s travels with the Union Army as an illustrator for Harper’s Weekly. The work depicts two cavalry soldiers at rest outside a sutler’s tent—a temporary shop that supplied troops in the field—and captures a moment of quiet reflection amid the turbulence of war. The painting will debut on Dec. 7 in the Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art.  

The acquisition was made possible through The Huntington’s dedicated partnership with The Ahmanson Foundation to acquire masterworks for the Art Museum. The Foundation has dedicated this gift in honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. This marks the fifth major acquisition made through this art-focused program. 

“The Ahmanson Foundation’s partnership with The Huntington has allowed us to bring works of profound artistic and historical resonance into our collections and into public view,” said Karen R. Lawrence, president of The Huntington. “Winslow Homer’s The Sutler’s Tent—a meditation on the experience of war—embodies our mission to connect art, history, and literature in ways that deepen understanding of the American story.” 

The Sutler’s Tent will anchor a major reinstallation of the Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art as part of the THIS LAND IS… initiative. The painting will appear alongside works exploring the Civil War and Reconstruction, including Eastman Johnson’s Sugaring Off (1865), Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux’s Why Born Enslaved! (1868, cast 1872), and a signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation.

For press inquiries or to request high-resolution press images, email huntingtonnews@huntington.org. 

About The Huntington 

The Huntington, a world-renowned cultural and educational institution, provides transformative experiences for a community of the curious. Founded in 1919 by Henry E. and Arabella Huntington, it supports research and promotes public engagement through its expansive library, art, and botanical collections. By cultivating dynamic scholarship, creating innovative programs for students and lifelong learners, and sharing its extraordinary resources, The Huntington invites all on a journey of discovery, insight, and connection. Only 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles, The Huntington is located at 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, California. Learn more at huntington.org.