Artwork

The Soldier's Birth Right

The Soldier's Birth Right, by Rembrandt Peale, ink, 1828
The Soldier's Birth Right, by Rembrandt Peale, ink, 1828

The Soldier's Birth Right is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Rembrandt Peale. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Soldier's Birth Right is a lithograph created by American artist Rembrandt Peale around 1828, featuring a serene scene with three figures.

Subject & Meaning

The lithograph depicts a military man, identifiable by his uniform and tricorn hat, seated and engaging with two children: a boy and a girl carrying a large basket. The man’s authoritative yet contemplative interaction suggests a moment of guidance or instruction.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithograph, the work reflects Peale’s adherence to Romanticist tendencies, characterized by a focus on emotive, subdued interactions and detailed, realistic rendering of subjects.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1828, specific details on the work’s historical ownership or exhibition history are not provided in available sources.

Context

Emerging from the early 19th-century American art scene, The Soldier's Birth Right aligns with the period’s artistic shift towards Romanticism, emphasizing emotion and individual experience.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Rembrandt Peale

Artist

Rembrandt Peale

Rembrandt Peale (February 22, 1778 – October 3, 1860) was an American artist and museum keeper.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.