Artwork
La Maréchal Baraquey d'Hilliers
La Maréchal Baraquey d'Hilliers is a print by the Impressionist artist Auguste Raffet. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
La Maréchal Baraquey d'Hilliers is an 1859 print by French illustrator and lithographer Auguste Raffet, characterized by loose, sketchy lines and a focus on detail, particularly in the depiction of military attire.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays Marshal Baraquey d'Hilliers in a light-colored military uniform, adorned with a star pin and buttons, with one hand resting on a sword, emphasizing his rank and profession.
Technique & Style
Raffet employed a quick, sketchy technique with minimal shading, reflective of the Realist style prevalent in 1850s France, prioritizing the capture of everyday figures in their occupational contexts.
History & Provenance
Created in 1859, the work is now part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, aligning with Raffet's broader retrospective focus on the Empire period despite the subject's contemporaneity.
Context
While Raffet is known for Empire period retrospectives, this work, from the same era as the Realist movement, suggests a parallel interest in contemporary military figures, blending historical inclination with current subjects.
Legacy
La Maréchal Baraquey d'Hilliers contributes to the broader legacy of French Realist printmaking, illustrating the everyday lives and professions of its time through detailed, unromanticized depictions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Denis Auguste Marie Raffet (2 March 1804 – 16 February 1860) was a French illustrator and lithographer. He was a student of Nicolas Toussaint Charlet, and was a retrospective painter of the Empire.
