Terugkeer uit Rusland 1818

"Terugkeer uit Rusland" (Return from Russia), created in 1818 by Théodore Géricault, depicts a poignant scene of two French soldiers returning from the disastrous Napoleonic campaign in Russia. The lithograph, housed at the Rijksmuseum, captures the weary exhaustion of the soldiers, one on foot, the other mounted. This piece showcases Géricault's interest in depicting real-life scenarios and highlighting the human cost of war, reflecting his Romantic style. The work is a powerful reminder of the hardships faced by soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars, providing a stark contrast to the heroic narratives often associated with military campaigns.