Artwork

Infantry Ambush against the Cosacks

Infantry Ambush against the Cosacks, by Horace Vernet, ink, 1818
Infantry Ambush against the Cosacks, by Horace Vernet, ink, 1818

Infantry Ambush against the Cosacks is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Horace Vernet. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Infantry Ambush against the Cosacks is a lithograph created by Horace Vernet in 1818. It is a print depicting a chaotic military confrontation.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows soldiers on horseback and on foot engaged in battle, with some firing guns or wielding swords. A group of men are concealed behind a rocky outcropping, while others charge forward, set against a backdrop of trees, huts, and a cloudy sky.

Technique & Style

The lithograph is characterized by quick, sketchy lines that convey a sense of movement and tension. The execution appears rapid, resulting in a somewhat rough, dramatic representation of the battle scene.

Context

Horace Vernet was a French artist known for his battle scenes, portraits, and Orientalist works, and this print reflects his focus on martial subjects.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Horace Vernet

Artist

Horace Vernet

Émile Jean-Horace Vernet (French pronunciation: ; 30 June 1789 – 17 January 1863), better known as Horace Vernet, was a French painter of battles, portraits, and Orientalist subjects.

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