'Home Sweet Home', 1890 (c)

Oil on canvas by Charles Martin Hodges (1858-1916), 1890 (c).

A Corporal of 11th (Prince Albert's Own) Hussars at home with his wife.

The corporal, who wears patrol dress, appears to have returned home on leave. The attitude of the two figures suggests the title of the painting is ironic, but there are no specific clues to the situation. There was no system of regular leave in the Victorian Army, although officers could obtain leave of absence in peacetime with relative ease. However, leave for other ranks was described by Queen's Regulations as 'an indulgence', only to be granted with the consent of a regiment's commanding officer.