Sheet of Sketches 1842

Auguste Raffet created this sketch using graphite on paper. Here, we see French soldiers, their figures rendered with a striking mix of weariness and resolve. Note the prominent display of military dress: the rifle, the uniform, and the way the figures carry themselves. These are potent symbols of power, echoing motifs found throughout history, from ancient Roman legions to Renaissance battle scenes. Consider, for instance, the way Roman soldiers were depicted carrying their spears; the gesture is not dissimilar, yet the meaning shifts with time. What was once a symbol of imperial might becomes, in Raffet's hands, a study of human endurance amidst conflict. These recurring symbols resonate on a subconscious level, tapping into our collective memory of war and its impact. It is this non-linear progression of symbols—their resurfacing, evolution, and reinterpretation—that reveals the deep cultural threads connecting us to the past.