Two Conscripts 1825 - 1875

"Two Conscripts" is a lithograph created by French artist Célestin Nanteuil between 1825 and 1875. The artwork, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts two young men, likely conscripts, being escorted into the countryside. The scene is framed by a brick archway adorned with vines, creating a sense of enclosure and emphasizing the conscripts' departure. The somber mood of the artwork, characterized by a stark contrast of light and shadow, speaks to the emotional weight of military service during this period. Nanteuil's use of detail and texture brings a sense of realism to the scene, capturing the solemnity of the conscripts' farewells.