Artwork
Review at Night
Review at Night is a print by the Romanticist artist Auguste Raffet. It dates from 1816 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Review at Night, an 1816 print by French illustrator and lithographer Auguste Raffet, captures a dynamic military review under moonlight, showcasing the artist's penchant for depicting Empire period themes.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays a chaotic cavalry charge, with riders in helmets and armor wielding swords and lances, conveying intense energy and reckless abandon amidst a moonlit, darkened background.
Technique & Style
Raffet employs dramatic chiaroscuro, contrasting the eerie glow of the full moon with the dark background, and captures the kinetic movement of horses in various states of motion, characteristic of Romanticism's emphasis on emotion and movement.
History & Provenance
Created in 1816 under the influence of Raffet's training with Nicolas Toussaint Charlet, the work is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Context
Aligned with the Romantic movement, Review at Night reflects the era's focus on dramatic lighting, intense emotion, and dynamic scenes, diverging from the more restrained approaches of preceding artistic periods.
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.
