Soldier with a Pail, Seen from Behind (Soldato di spalle con secchio) c. late 19th century

This etching, made by Giovanni Fattori, captures a soldier with a pail. Soldiers are ancient symbols of defense, order, and sometimes, of conflict. Fattori chooses a different angle, showing us the back of the soldier. The 'man seen from behind' motif has roots stretching back to antiquity, often indicating contemplation, introspection, or an individual facing the unknown. We see this echoed in Romanticism, in Caspar David Friedrich’s wanderers overlooking landscapes, embodying the sublime and personal reflection. Here, the soldier is not a hero or aggressor, but a figure performing mundane tasks. This position evokes a sense of anonymity, inviting the viewer to project their own feelings or experiences onto the soldier. There is also a quiet melancholy, a subconscious meditation on the sacrifices and unnoticed labors inherent in the experience of war. It's not a triumphant image, but a quiet reflection on duty and the human condition.