The return from the field (preparatory sketch) 1869

Gerolamo Induno painted this sketch, titled "The Return from the Field", likely in the mid-19th century. It depicts a soldier with his family. The most striking symbol is perhaps the figure of the soldier himself, an archetype deeply embedded in the collective consciousness. The returning soldier echoes motifs found throughout art history, embodying themes of homecoming and reunion after conflict. Images of triumphant or weary warriors appear on ancient Greek pottery and Roman reliefs. Consider, too, the biblical story of the Prodigal Son, which shares a similar narrative arc of return and reconciliation. The visual language of the soldier, the family, and the flowers are infused with the weight of cultural memory. This piece reflects an ongoing cycle of departure and return that touches upon fundamental human emotions: longing, hope, and the enduring quest for peace.