The Dream 1888

"The Dream," painted in 1888 by Jean-Baptiste Édouard Detaille, depicts a poignant scene of a battlefield aftermath. The painting showcases a stark contrast between the foreground and background. In the foreground, a group of fallen soldiers, their bodies draped in the aftermath of battle, lie scattered across the field, symbolizing the devastation of war. In the background, a shadowy legion of soldiers in the distance, ascend toward the heavens, evoking a sense of ethereal, dreamlike state. The detail in the scene, from the fallen soldiers' uniforms to the rifles and other military equipment, highlights the realism that Detaille was known for. "The Dream" offers a powerful reflection on the cost of war.