Return from the African War

In 1859 Spain declared war to Morocco in answer to several attacks suffered by the Spanish troops based in Ceuta. The conflict lasted a year and ended with the Spanish victory. Eduardo Cano, who is considered to be the artist who introduced historical painting in Spain, represents the family welcome to a hero who returns from the battlefield. Although the main scene is purposely framed by two official portraits of Isabel II and Francisco de Asís, the embrace between the woman and the soldier (who has traditionally been identified as Juan Prim, the great victor of the battle of Tetuan) is the central and main element of the composition.