Pierre's Return or The Soldier's Vacation 1829

"Pierre's Return or The Soldier's Vacation" is a lithograph by Hippolyte Bellangé, created in 1829. The print, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts a soldier, Pierre, returning home on leave from the army. The scene shows Pierre shaking hands with another soldier, with a third soldier standing behind them. The three soldiers are in front of a tent and military supplies, while a small village can be seen in the background. This scene portrays the joys of returning home after a long military campaign, a theme that resonated with audiences during the 19th century. The detail of the scene and the artist's careful rendering of the soldiers' uniforms is a testament to Bellangé's skill in capturing the military life.