Oorlogstafereel in Spanje: een gekwetst paard wordt met een pistoolschot afgemaakt 1799 - 1863

This pen and ink drawing, created between 1799 and 1863, depicts a scene from the Peninsular War. Artist Horace Vernet, known for his depictions of battle scenes, captures the grim reality of war in this intimate drawing. The central figure, a soldier, puts a dying horse out of its misery with a pistol shot, while other figures stand around, reflecting the devastation of the battlefield. This poignant image, housed in the Rijksmuseum, provides a glimpse into the harsh realities of military conflict and the emotional toll it took on soldiers.