Carré enfoncé - Denis-Auguste-Marie Raffet

A detailed lithograph by Denis-Auguste-Marie Raffet depicting a cavalry charge breaking an infantry square during the Napoleonic wars.

Denis-Auguste-Marie Raffet was a master of the lithographic medium, particularly known for his depictions of Napoleonic military life. This work, titled Carré enfoncé, captures the chaotic intensity of a cavalry charge against an infantry square. The composition focuses on the moment of impact, where the rigid formation of the infantry is disrupted by the momentum of the mounted soldiers.

Raffet employs a sophisticated use of light and shadow to convey the atmosphere of the battlefield. The smoke from musketry obscures the background, creating a sense of depth and confusion that draws the viewer into the centre of the action. His technical skill with the lithographic stone allows for a range of textures, from the fine details of the soldiers' uniforms to the blurred motion of the horses and the atmospheric haze of gunpowder.

The text below the image, 'De quel éclat brillaient dans la bataille. Ces habits bleus par la Victoire usés', adds a layer of poetic reflection to the scene. It speaks to the wear and tear of the Napoleonic campaigns, grounding the dramatic visual in the lived experience of the soldiers. Raffet was not merely interested in the glory of war, but in the gritty reality of the men who fought. His work remains a primary source for understanding the visual culture of the French military during the early nineteenth century. This print demonstrates his ability to manage complex, multi-figure compositions while maintaining a clear narrative focus. The balance between the static, defensive posture of the infantry and the dynamic, aggressive movement of the cavalry creates a tension that defines the piece. It is a fine example of the military lithography that defined Raffet's career and his contribution to the visual documentation of the Napoleonic era.