Title
A Bit of War History: The Recruit
Date
1866
Description
This painting by Thomas Waterman Wood shows the same African American man from "The Contraband" now wearing the uniform of a Union soldier. He stands tall, with eyes focused straight ahead and walking with a purposeful step. He carries a musket with bayonet on his shoulder and he grips his belt with his left hand. His cartridge box is visible on his hip. He wears a kepi hat at a slight angle, and his clothes appear to be new. His shoes are clean and blacked. He stands in the same Provost Marshall's office as in the previous painting,. The recruiting poster seeking "Volunteers Wanted" is now nearly faded away, its place taken by a small American flag, whose red stripes seem especially prominent. An illustrated newspaper sits in the empty chair next to him, along with a lighted cigar. Behind him through a cracked open door we see a large American flag and a military drum. In the left foreground is the corner of a tent.
Analysis: The soldier still wears the same shirt as in "The Contraband," but now is clothed in Union blue, highlighted by the red lining of his coat. Indeed, the man is now literally clothed in red, white, and blue. He stands in front of the American flag to defend it, as it too, stands behind him in support. Perhaps the small flag on the wall indicates that the freedman's commitment and courage is yet untested, and reflects the North's hesitant, even sometimes reluctant, embrace of enlisting Black men in the Union army.
Analysis: The soldier still wears the same shirt as in "The Contraband," but now is clothed in Union blue, highlighted by the red lining of his coat. Indeed, the man is now literally clothed in red, white, and blue. He stands in front of the American flag to defend it, as it too, stands behind him in support. Perhaps the small flag on the wall indicates that the freedman's commitment and courage is yet untested, and reflects the North's hesitant, even sometimes reluctant, embrace of enlisting Black men in the Union army.
Creator
Wood, Thomas Waterman
Source
Link to the Met website: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/13346
Contributor
Object number 84.12b, part of a triptych. Oil on canvas. The Met, Fifth Avenue (Metropolitan Museum of Art), New York, New York.
Rights
In public domain according to The Met's website
Relation
Part two of a triptych (three-part painting).
Type
Image
Identifier
TWWood-Recruit.jpg
Coverage
1860-1865; 1866-1869
Original Format
Painting
Physical Dimensions
28 1/4 in. x 20 1/4 in.