Schets uit de Krimoorlog: de abbé Parabère gezeten op het affuit van een kanon Possibly 1855

This pencil drawing on paper was made by Hippolyte Bellangé during the Crimean War. The immediacy of the sketch, and the quick, light strokes suggest a scene captured in real-time, rather than a meticulously planned studio work. Pencil, a humble material, allows for both speed and precision, making it ideal for documenting fleeting moments. The texture of the paper also plays a role, adding a subtle graininess to the lines, enhancing the sense of immediacy. What's interesting here is the contrast between the ease of the drawing and the weight of the subject matter – war. The sketch captures a priest casually sitting on a cannon. This juxtaposition speaks volumes about the normalization of conflict and the varied experiences within it. Bellangé's choice of a quick, accessible medium democratizes the depiction of war, moving away from grand, idealized paintings towards a more human, relatable perspective. It reminds us that even in the midst of large-scale conflict, life, in all its mundane and ironic forms, continues.