Italie, 1796 - Denis-Auguste-Marie Raffet

A detailed lithograph by Denis-Auguste-Marie Raffet depicting Napoleon Bonaparte with his soldiers during the Italian campaign of 1796.

This lithograph by Denis-Auguste-Marie Raffet depicts a scene from the Napoleonic Wars, specifically the Italian campaign of 1796. Raffet was a specialist in military subjects, known for his ability to capture the atmosphere of the battlefield through the medium of lithography. The composition centres on a young Napoleon Bonaparte, standing in a contemplative posture before a campfire. He is surrounded by his soldiers, some of whom are resting on the ground, while others gather warmth from the flames. The artist employs a range of tonal values to create a sense of depth and shadow, typical of the Romantic interest in the solitary leader and the harsh realities of military life.

Raffet often focused on the human element of the Napoleonic legend, moving away from the grand, heroic depictions favoured by earlier painters. Instead, he presents a more grounded view of the campaign, where the exhaustion of the troops is as visible as the ambition of their commander. The smoke and the dim light of the fire provide a moody backdrop, suggesting the cold and uncertainty of a night spent in the field. This print reflects the mid-nineteenth-century fascination with the Napoleonic era, a period that continued to shape French national identity long after the Emperor's fall. The technical execution demonstrates Raffet's mastery of the lithographic stone, using fine hatching and soft washes to build the texture of the uniforms and the rugged terrain. It is a work that balances historical narrative with a keen eye for the atmospheric conditions of the scene, offering a glimpse into the life of the Grande Armée during its formative years.