Un Poste de Garde 1871

"Un Poste de Garde" is an etching by French artist Maxime Lalanne, created in 1871. The artwork depicts a dimly lit interior space, likely a guard post, with several figures huddled together. The composition is dominated by dark tones, creating a sense of mystery and tension. The viewer's attention is drawn to a single figure standing in the foreground, their silhouette outlined against the window in the background. The print's haunting atmosphere reflects the anxieties of the time, likely inspired by the events of the Franco-Prussian War, in which France was defeated.