Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912 Tracks of the armies

GLC00493.15

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GLC#
GLC00493.15-View header record
Type
Images
Date
circa 1880-1890
Author/Creator
Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912
Title
Tracks of the armies
Place Written
s.l.
Pagination
1 etching : b&w Height: 25.8 cm, Width: 34.6 cm
Primary time period
Rise of Industrial America, 1877-1900
Sub-Era
The American Civil War

Depicts a Confederate soldier returning home to find his home destroyed and his wife and dog dead. All of his belongings lay scattered and ruined, while in the distance another building burns. Vultures are perched above, more symbols of death. It is significant to note that the bare breast of the dead wife is exposed in the rubble, suggesting that she may have been the victim of sexual assault as well as murder. Although Volck does not specify which army committed such atrocities against civilians in his title, it was understood by all who viewed the sketch that it was the Union army that was implicated. Size in extent is for the mount. The actual size of the etching is 20.5 x 26.6 cm. Title in pencil on verso.

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