Bataille 1715 - 1763

Quentin Pierre Chedel created this detailed print, Bataille, using etching. The composition is dominated by strong linear perspectives that draw the eye deep into the scene, structured by the imposing architecture of a guardhouse. The banner at the top provides a focal point. The print provides a sense of depth and volume while also serving as a visual introduction to the world of military life. Chedel’s use of hatching and crosshatching creates a complex interplay of light and shadow. The print also uses a semiotic system of signs. The banner with its inscription, the arms, and the drum are cultural codes that signify military dedication and order. Yet, this order is subtly undermined by the casual attitudes of the soldiers. The print then becomes not just a representation of military life but also an exploration of the relationship between formal structure and lived reality. This tension is sustained by the dynamic interplay of straight lines, textures and shapes. This reflects the complex negotiations that were happening at the time, as people tried to grasp the shifting grounds of knowledge and representation.