Battle of Frankfurt 1818

Curator: This is "Battle of Frankfurt" by Francisque-Martin-François Grenier de Saint-Martin, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's stark. The grey etching emphasizes a bleakness, even as figures present themselves heroically. Curator: Notice how the artist meticulously rendered the details of military uniforms, the texture of the horses' manes. The printmaking process allowed for wide dissemination of such images. Editor: The fallen soldier at the front is positioned almost like a warning. Are these images meant to glorify conflict or remind us of its cost? Curator: Perhaps both, the artist balances the theater of war and the labor involved in creating these images. Editor: I see that now. I'll need to reflect more on the cost and implications of its distribution.