What movement is Charge of the Cavalry (Charge de cavalerie contre des chasseurs)?

Charge of the Cavalry (Charge de cavalerie contre des chasseurs) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Charge of the Cavalry (Charge de cavalerie contre des chasseurs)

Charge of the Cavalry (Charge de cavalerie contre des chasseurs) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Gerhardus Emaus de Micault. It dates from 1856 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

“Charge of the Cavalry (Charge de cavalerie contre des chasseurs)” is a print produced in 1856 by the artist Emaüs de Micault, also known as Gerhardus. Executed as a drypoint etching, the work measures the dramatic moment of mounted troops confronting foot soldiers, rendered in a single monochrome composition.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures a cavalry unit thundering forward toward a line of hunters on foot. Dust billows from the horses’ hooves, while scattered rifles lie abandoned on the ground, suggesting a sudden, violent encounter that freezes the viewer in the midst of conflict.

Technique & Style

Created by incising lines directly into a metal plate, the drypoint method leaves rough, ink‑filled furrows that produce bold, slightly blurred edges. This technique imparts a sense of immediacy and movement, emphasizing the chaotic energy of the charge.

History & Provenance

The print was issued in the mid‑nineteenth century, a period when French printmakers frequently explored military subjects. It is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s European prints holdings.

Context

Mid‑1800s Europe saw numerous military engagements, and artists often responded by documenting the drama of battle. Micault’s work reflects this trend, using the drypoint medium to convey the visceral experience of a cavalry assault, a subject popular among contemporary viewers interested in the spectacle of war.