Le sanctuaire.
1876
Imagine the relief of finally reaching safety after a long, dangerous journey. In this 1876 scene by Edwin Forbes, a woman drops to her knees with arms wide open, celebrating as she spots a flag flying on a distant hill—a beacon of freedom for escaped slaves seeking refuge with the Union army during the Civil War. Her companions, an older man with a cane and a young child, stand in quiet awe alongside their dog, taking in the view of the sanctuary ahead. Forbes was an artist who actually lived with the Union army, sketching real life on the front lines, which gives this moment a powerful, gritty authenticity.