Artwork
Military Parade
Military Parade is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Constantin Guys. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Military Parade is a drawing created in 1848 by French artist Constantin Guys, utilizing pen and brown ink with gray wash over graphite.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a military parade, reflecting Guys' interest in documenting contemporary military life and public spectacles of the mid-19th century.
Technique & Style
Executed in pen and brown ink with gray wash over graphite, the work exemplifies Guys' skill in combining media to achieve nuanced, detailed renderings.
History & Provenance
Created in 1848, the drawing's provenance is not detailed here, though its creation date situates it within Guys' period of active illustration work.
Context
Produced during a time of significant European political upheaval, the piece captures the militaristic spirit of its era, alongside Guys' journalistic eye for public events.
Legacy
As part of Guys' oeuvre, *Military Parade* contributes to his legacy as a chronicler of 19th-century life, particularly in his observations of military and public life.
Artist & collection
Artist
Constantin Guys (born Ernest-Adolphe Guys de Saint-Hélène, December 3, 1802 – December 13, 1892) was a French Crimean War correspondent, water color painter and illustrator for British and French newspapers.
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