The Soldier's Birth Right

Rembrandt Peale

National Gallery of Art

In the image, three individuals are depicted from head to toe. On the right, an older man is seated on a bench, dressed in a military-style coat with epaulets and a large bicorne hat. He holds a crutch with one hand while leaning against the bench, his foot appearing to be in some sort of bandage or cast. To the left, two young children stand barefoot, one carrying a large basket on their back. Both children have short hair; the one with the basket wears a simple, tied headscarf. Their clothing is loose and appears to be made of a plain material. The background consists of a plain wall with subtle shading and a corner where the wall meets the floor.