Franse soldaten vallen Constantine aan, 13 oktober 1837 1838

Auguste Raffet made this lithograph, French Soldiers Attack Constantine, on October 13, 1837. The image depicts the French army's siege of Constantine, Algeria. This event is a key moment in France's colonial expansion into North Africa during the 19th century. Looking closely, we see French soldiers in the foreground, cannons positioned to breach the city walls. In the background, the city of Constantine appears under heavy bombardment. Raffet's composition emphasizes the scale of the military operation, but the propaganda overlooks the human cost and violence inherent in such colonial endeavors. France's colonial project in Algeria was driven by economic interests, political ambitions, and a civilizing mission, all of which profoundly impacted Algerian society. To understand this image better, one might consult French military archives, colonial administration records, or North African oral histories. Examining such sources allows us to critically assess the narratives promoted by images like this.