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The Brave at Home. No. 1.

Date1862-1865

MediumLithography; printer's ink and watercolor on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 12 3/16 x 9 1/16in. (31 x 23cm)
Sheet (height x width): 14 1/4 x 10 3/16in. (36.2 x 25.9cm)

Credit LineGift of Samuel St. John Morgan

DescriptionA young man wearing a military uniform stands in the interior of a room, apparently a parlor. He has a mustache and holds a sword in its scabbard in his right hand. His left hand encircles the waist of a young woman who ties a sash around his waist. She wears a dress decorated with ruching, buttons, and undersleeves. She also wears pendant earrings and a snood. The soldier's belt and hat are on a table at the far right, which is covered with a tablecloth. A mirror in a gilt frame is above. Oval framed bust-length portraits of a man and woman hang on the wall. A window at the left has patterned curtains trimmed with lace with ornate tiebacks. A cord with tassels is above. A patterned carpet is on the floor.

Object number1950.202.31

InscribedOn recto, lithographed title beneath image, "THE BRAVE AT HOME. / No. 1. / The maid who binds her warrior's sash, / With smile that well her pain dissembles, / The while beneath her drooping lash / One starry tear-drop hangs and trembles, / Tho' heaven along records the tear, / And Fame shall never know her story, / Her heart has shed a drop as dear / As ever dewed the field of glory. / 687."

On verso, in pencil: upper right, "Drawer 27"; center, "D.M. Eaton"; lower left, "Print / Box 7 14 #8 / #38 [crossed out] "#834"; lower right, accession number.NotesSubject Note: The poem, "The Brave at Home," was written by Thomas Buchanan Read (1822-1872), a poet and painter known for his patriotic subjects. (Finlay 8/22/2003)

Source Note: It has been suggested that the composition was inspired by photographs of General McClellan and his wife, and that the figure of the soldier is based on McClellan.

Subject Terms