Squadron of Lancers 1820 - 1860

Auguste Raffet’s ‘Squadron of Lancers’, is composed of watercolor and graphite in a horizontal format. The composition emphasizes a mass of mounted soldiers receding into the distance beneath a turbulent sky. This monochromatic treatment evokes a sense of drama and impending movement. The lancers with their flags create a repetitive motif that adds a rhythmic quality to the work. The formal structure implies a collective force rather than individual heroism. Raffet masterfully uses the technique of sfumato, blurring lines and softening colors to create depth and atmosphere. This effect distances the viewer, suggesting the grand scale and impersonal nature of military action. The semiotic elements of flags and uniforms serve as codes symbolizing power, duty, and the structured hierarchy of military life. Through its formal qualities, the work embodies the detachment and abstraction that war represents. The piece invites us to consider the structures and symbols that underlie our understanding of conflict and collective identity.