Artwork

Soldier with a Pail, Seen from Behind (Soldato di spalle con secchio)

Soldier with a Pail, Seen from Behind (Soldato di spalle con secchio) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Giovanni Fattori. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right below image, erased: Gio Fattori

About this work

Overview

Soldier with a Pail, Seen from Behind is an 1875 etching on wove paper by Giovanni Fattori, part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts a soldier walking away from the viewer, carrying a bucket on a pole. His relaxed attire and the surrounding scene of soldiers near tents amidst tall, wild grass suggest a candid, everyday moment from military life.

Technique & Style

Fattori employed quick, sketchy lines to convey movement and capture light, lending the scene a sense of spontaneity and realism. The etching technique, involving acid and needles, allowed for expressive, detailed work.

History & Provenance

Created in 1875, this etching is an artist's proof, indicating it was printed under Fattori's direct supervision. It is now part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington.

Context

This work reflects Fattori's interest in capturing everyday, unheroic aspects of military life, characteristic of his realistic approach to art.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of this etching are not widely highlighted, it contributes to Fattori's broader impact on Italian Realism and the development of etching as a expressive medium in the late 19th century.