Artwork

Les Munitionaires du 28 Juillet

Les Munitionaires du 28 Juillet, by Auguste Raffet, ink, 1830
Les Munitionaires du 28 Juillet, by Auguste Raffet, ink, 1830

Les Munitionaires du 28 Juillet is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Auguste Raffet. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Les Munitionaires du 28 Juillet is a lithograph on wove paper created by French artist Auguste Denis Raffet around 1830. The black-and-white print captures a chaotic street scene, conveying a sense of dynamic energy and tension through quick, sketchy lines.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a crowded street moment with a mix of individuals, including a prominent figure holding a gun, surrounded by onlookers, children, and a fallen horse. While the title suggests a connection to a protest or uprising (likely referencing the July Revolution of 1830), the primary focus is on capturing the intense, disorderly atmosphere.

Technique & Style

Raffet utilized lithography to produce the work, characterized by expressive, rapid lines that effectively convey movement and tension. This technique aligns with Raffet's training under Nicolas Toussaint Charlet, though here applied to a contemporary rather than his usual Empire period retrospective themes.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1830 by Auguste Denis Raffet, a French illustrator and lithographer. Trained under Nicolas Toussaint Charlet, Raffet typically focused on Empire period subjects, making this work somewhat atypical in its contemporary setting.

Context

The work is likely tied to the July Revolution of 1830, given its title and date. It reflects the tumultuous nature of this period in French history, capturing a moment of public upheaval.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of *Les Munitionaires du 28 Juillet* are not provided, the work contributes to the broader body of historical lithographic prints documenting significant social and political events of 19th-century France.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Auguste Raffet

Artist

Auguste Raffet

Denis Auguste Marie Raffet (2 March 1804 – 16 February 1860) was a French illustrator and lithographer. He was a student of Nicolas Toussaint Charlet, and was a retrospective painter of the Empire.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.