From Feuille de Croquis 1842

Curator: Look at this intriguing piece by Auguste Raffet, titled "From Feuille de Croquis." What strikes you first about it? Editor: The soldiers feel weary, almost spectral. Is it just the monochrome, or is there something more? The figures look burdened, walking through a haze. Curator: Raffet, who lived from 1804 to 1860, often depicted military scenes, and this one captures a sense of...relentless march. It speaks to the human cost of conflict, wouldn't you say? Editor: Absolutely. The way they are juxtaposed, some fading into the background, creates a commentary on the anonymity and expendability of soldiers within broader power structures. Are we to assume these are French soldiers? Curator: Likely, given Raffet's background and the time period. He really gets at something elemental about their shared experience. Editor: Yes, there's a collective exhaustion—a visual representation of the psychological weight of war. It prompts us to consider the narratives that are often left out of the dominant historical record. Curator: Well said. There's a certain poetry here, isn't there? Editor: Indeed, it's a potent blend of artistry and social critique. Definitely gives one pause.