Military & Political · 19th century
€ 320
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good condition. Light overall age toning with minor scattered foxing, primarily in the margins. Hand colouring remains vibrant and well preserved. No major tears or losses. Margins intact.
Artillerie à Cheval, Imperial Guard Cavalry, Napoleonic Military Print, 1843
This finely hand-coloured 19th-century engraving depicts a mounted artilleryman of Napoleon Bonaparte’s Imperial Guard, shown in full dress uniform astride a powerful black horse. The figure represents the elite Artillerie à Cheval, a highly mobile and prestigious branch of the Imperial Guard that combined the firepower of artillery with the speed of cavalry. These units played a decisive role in Napoleonic warfare, rapidly repositioning guns on the battlefield and supporting key offensives during the Empire’s major campaigns.
The composition emphasizes both military discipline and visual grandeur. The artilleryman is shown in a richly detailed uniform with tall fur shako and red plume, braided jacket, and sword at his side, while the horse is rendered with careful attention to musculature and stance. In the background, faintly sketched figures and artillery elements suggest active service conditions without distracting from the central figure. The balance between clarity and atmosphere reflects the mature style associated with French military illustration of the period.
This print originates from *Histoire de l’Empereur Napoléon* by P.-M. Laurent de l’Ardèche, published in Paris in 1843. The illustrations are after Horace Vernet, the foremost French military painter of the 19th century and the artist most closely associated with shaping the visual legacy of Napoleon and his army. Produced several decades after the fall of the Empire, this series reflects the renewed admiration for Napoleonic history during the July Monarchy, when illustrated histories sought both historical accuracy and decorative appeal.
Today, engravings from this publication are sought after by collectors of Napoleonic material, French military history, and uniform studies. This example is particularly appealing for its strong equestrian subject and bold use of hand colour, making it well suited as a standalone display or as part of a larger Imperial Guard grouping.
Condition report:
Good condition. Light overall age toning with minor scattered foxing, primarily in the margins. Hand colouring remains vibrant and well preserved. No major tears or losses. Margins intact.
Framing tips:
A dark wood, mahogany, or black frame with a light cream or off-white mat will enhance the contrast between the dark horse and the vivid uniform details. Especially effective when framed as part of a coordinated set of Imperial Guard prints.
Technique: Hand-coloured engraving
Maker: After Horace Vernet, France, Paris, 1843
