Part of the Modern Heroes collection, this painting portrays a legionnaire from a different perspective; not as a soldier in battle, but as an ordinary man, smiling as he enjoys a few strawberries. My father was a legionnaire, and through this work, I wanted to reveal the humanity behind the uniform. What the painting doesn’t show are the sacrifices, the endurance, and the silent strength required to protect our lives and our freedoms. Too often, these men are forgotten; or worse, misunderstood and criticised. When in truth, they are modern heroes: humble individuals who risk everything for the safety of others.