Oude legioensoldaat spreekt zijn kinderen toe 1824

Nicolas Toussaint Charlet created this print, ‘Oude legioensoldaat spreekt zijn kinderen toe’ or ‘Old legionary speaks to his children’, in France sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Charlet's lithograph depicts an old soldier surrounded by his family. The image creates meaning through cultural references and historical associations. The Napoleonic Code of 1804 established a new legal framework in France, one that recognized the rights and duties of citizens, including soldiers. During this time, the soldier was a celebrated figure in French culture. The image of the old soldier imparting wisdom to his children speaks to the values of duty, honor, and family that were so important in this period. The focus on family values can be seen as self-consciously conservative, but it also speaks to a desire for stability and order in a society still reeling from the upheavals of the French Revolution. By examining the historical context of this artwork, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance. We can research the Napoleonic Code, military history, and the social and cultural values of 19th-century France to understand this piece better.