Artwork
El gran día de Gerona (19 septiembre de 1809)
El gran día de Gerona (19 septiembre de 1809) is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist César Álvarez Dumont. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
César Álvarez Dumont’s oil on canvas, completed in 1896, portrays the tumult of the 19 September 1809 clash near Girona. The composition captures a dense melee of infantry in period dress, their weapons—muskets and sabres—caught mid‑action amid billowing smoke and a fragmented architectural backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on the ferocity of close‑quarter combat, emphasizing the chaos of a 19th‑century battlefield. Central figures brandish swords and fire rifles, while comrades tumble around them, suggesting both the heroism and the disorder inherent in the historic encounter.
Technique & Style
Rendered with a muted palette of browns, grays and occasional reds, the painting employs a thick impasto that gives the smoke and dust a palpable texture. Light pierces the gloom in brief flashes, highlighting the movement of weapons and the tension of the scene.
History & Provenance
After its creation, the canvas entered the collection of Spain’s national museum, the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s interest in works that depict pivotal moments of Spanish military history.
Context
The depicted event refers to the siege of Girona during the Peninsular War, a significant episode in the struggle against Napoleonic forces. Dumont’s interpretation aligns with late‑19th‑century Spanish interest in nationalistic subjects and historic genre painting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
César Álvarez Dumont (1866–1945) was an artist, born in Vila Real de Santo António.
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