Who painted L'Aumône?

L'Aumône was painted by Nicolas Toussaint Charlet in 1818.

Where can I see L'Aumône?

L'Aumône is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is L'Aumône?

L'Aumône is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of L'Aumône?

Museum-quality prints of L'Aumône are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

L'Aumône

Nicolas Toussaint Charlet , 1818

L'Aumône is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Nicolas Toussaint Charlet. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1818, *L’Aumône* is a lithographic print by French artist Nicolas‑Toussaint Charlet, whose oeuvre is noted for its focus on military life. The image presents a small group of figures gathered beside a rough stone wall, rendered in a sketch‑like manner that emphasizes the weariness of the subjects and the intimacy of their interaction.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts five individuals—a senior figure in a long coat supporting another, two youths nearby, a seated man holding his hat, and a standing figure with a walking stick. Their tattered attire and the way they lean on one another convey a sense of shared hardship, suggesting the camaraderie and mutual reliance among soldiers during periods of rest or hardship.

Technique & Style

Charlet employed the lithographic process, drawing directly onto a limestone slab with greasy crayon. The resulting lines are swift and loose, capturing fleeting gestures and facial expressions. This immediacy, combined with the limited tonal range of the medium, creates a subdued atmosphere that highlights the figures’ posture and the texture of the stone wall.

History & Provenance

The print emerged shortly after the Napoleonic wars, a period when Charlet’s depictions of ordinary soldiers resonated with a public familiar with military experience. While specific ownership records are scarce, *L’Aumône* has been included in several 19th‑century collections of French lithographs, reflecting its role in documenting post‑war civilian‑military life.