Battle of Ascalon, 18 November 1177 1844

Charles-Philippe Lariviere painted "Battle of Ascalon, 18 November 1177", immortalizing a clash during the Crusades, amid the fervor of 19th-century Orientalism. The painting places King Baldwin IV, the leper king, at its heart. Carried into battle, his frailty belies the fierce determination of a leader. Lariviere navigates the complex dynamics of identity and power, portraying the Crusades not merely as military campaigns but as clashes of civilizations, colored by religious and cultural biases. The artist invites viewers to consider the human cost of these historical encounters. The faces of the soldiers, a mix of determination and fear, remind us of the individual stories interwoven within grand narratives of conquest and faith. Lariviere doesn't shy away from the emotional and personal dimensions of war, prompting reflection on its lasting impact on identity and society.