Overview

The Soldiers Holding Up Society meme features a poignant painting by British artist Brian Jay, depicting fallen soldiers metaphorically supporting a peaceful existence. This artwork has become widely recognized on social media, particularly in remembrance posts and as an object labeling meme.

Background

The painting, initially unnamed, portrays British soldiers as the foundation of a peaceful life. Since its emergence in 2012, it has been used to highlight the unseen yet essential contributions of individuals or groups that enable success, particularly during commemorative events.

How It Began

Before June 2012, Brian Jay created the painting that would come to be known as 'The Price of Peace.' Inspired by the British seaside town of St Ives, the artwork gained recognition after being featured in a YouTube video on November 13, 2014, honoring local soldiers from the World Wars. The earliest known online use of the image was by Tumblr user pestenkerani before June 29, 2012. On that date, a blog post on Turkish site Blog Arti and a Facebook post from Rabbim Affını İstiyorum also showcased the image.

Internet Reaction

Beginning in 2012, the image gained traction on various social media platforms, often appearing during Memorial Days. For instance, on May 27, 2013, a Redditor shared it on /r/MURICA, while on November 11, 2015, a Twitter user used it with the #LestWeForget hashtag. The first meme format emerged around February 15, 2013, on 9GAG, where it garnered significant engagement. The meme saw a resurgence in late 2018, with various notable posts across multiple subreddits, including /r/dankmemes and /r/funny.