Cambronne at Waterloo (Furnishing Fabric) 1820 - 1825

Hartmann et Fils created this furnishing fabric, "Cambronne at Waterloo," to likely adorn the homes of those who followed the Napoleonic legend. The textile depicts scenes from the Battle of Waterloo, an event profoundly shaping European identity and power dynamics in the early 19th century. The imagery invokes notions of heroism and sacrifice, yet we should consider the complex reality of warfare, and who is excluded from the narrative. What of the countless unnamed soldiers, the women left behind, or the colonial subjects whose resources fueled Napoleon's ambitions? It seems that the artist maintains a traditional, heroic representation of conflict, glossing over the harsh realities and broader social costs of war. Consider how the fabric’s domestic setting contrasts sharply with the battlefield it depicts. It invites us to reflect on the narratives we choose to live with, and the stories we tell ourselves about power, loss, and remembrance.