Soldaat met baby op de rug en geweer in de hand 1822

"Soldaat met baby op de rug en geweer in de hand" (Soldier with a baby on his back and a gun in his hand) is a lithograph created in 1822 by Nicolas Toussaint Charlet, a renowned French artist known for his depictions of military life. This artwork, now part of the Rijksmuseum collection, showcases Charlet's signature style of depicting the hardships faced by soldiers during war. The lithograph portrays a soldier carrying a baby on his back while holding a rifle, a poignant representation of the sacrifices and challenges of war. The scene suggests the soldier's commitment to both his duty and family amidst conflict. The artwork's realistic portrayal of the soldier's weariness and the child's vulnerability evokes a sense of empathy and understanding. The lithograph exemplifies Charlet's artistic talent in conveying the raw emotions and realities of war through a powerful yet concise visual narrative.