Light infantry ambush, from Souvenirs d’Italie: Expédition de Rome 1858

Auguste Raffet made this lithograph titled 'Light Infantry Ambush' as part of a series called 'Souvenirs d’Italie: Expédition de Rome'. It depicts a scene from the French military expedition to Rome in 1849. The image presents a line of French soldiers ambushing their opponents. Raffet uses the visual codes of military art to glorify French militarism, illustrating its supposed order, discipline, and tactical superiority. The historical context is crucial here. The 1849 expedition saw French forces intervene in the Roman Republic, restoring Pope Pius IX to power. This intervention was controversial, as it suppressed a democratic and nationalist movement. Understanding this artwork requires us to look beyond its heroic depiction of war and consider the political motivations behind its creation. We can use sources from the French Second Republic, Papal States, and the Roman Republic to better understand the artwork. By exploring the social and political context, we can better understand the politics of imagery.