circa 1880-1890
Volck, Adalbert John (1828-1912)
Title: Tracks of the armies
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…
GLC00493.15