Question

which statement best describes american realist painter winslow homer's artistic approach in prisoners from the front

Answer 1

I think the answer is "He used sketches that he made in the field as reference"

Answer 2

Homer completed this picture in 1866, and it was this very picture that established his reputation. It is represents one of the many scenes from the war. In this particular scene we see a Union officer, Brigadier General Francis Channing Barlow (1834–1896) that captured several Confederate officers on June 21, 1864.
As for the statement for the approach, I think the painting is very lifelike!