Artwork
Military Costumes: Infantry Sargent
Military Costumes: Infantry Sargent is a print by the Romanticist artist Nicolas Toussaint Charlet. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created in 1818 by Nicolas‑Toussaint Charlet, this print portrays a French infantry sergeant.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1818 by Nicolas‑Toussaint Charlet, this print portrays a French infantry sergeant. The figure stands before a plain wall illuminated by daylight through a nearby window, his posture upright yet weary. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The sergeant is dressed in the typical early‑19th‑century uniform: a blue coat, red trousers, polished boots, and conspicuous brass buttons that denote his rank. Holding a sword in his right hand and resting his left hand on his hip, he conveys a mixture of pride and fatigue, suggesting the lingering duties of soldiers after the Napoleonic era.
Technique & Style
Charlet employs a precise line drawing combined with subtle tonal shading to render the fabric’s texture and the metallic gleam of the buttons and sword. The limited background focuses attention on the figure, while the soft light from the window creates gentle contrasts that enhance the three‑dimensionality of the uniform.
History & Provenance
The print was produced shortly after the collapse of Napoleon’s empire, a period when French troops still wore pre‑restoration uniforms. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, where it remains displayed as part of the museum’s European prints collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolas-Toussaint Charlet was a French painter and printmaker, more especially of military subjects.
