Sheet of Sketches 1829

Auguste Raffet created this collection of sketches on a sheet of paper, offering us a glimpse into 19th-century French life and military scenes. Raffet was a lithographer and designer known for his military subjects, particularly those related to the Napoleonic era. These sketches are a window into the complex intersections of war, gender, and class. In the upper sketches we see soldiers on horseback, in battle. Juxtapose this with the lower vignettes that depict everyday life. Notice the presence of women and children, suggesting the domestic sphere and the impact of military campaigns on the family. Raffet’s work captured a sense of national pride, even in times of conflict, which speaks to the construction of identity and the narratives we tell ourselves about who we are. The emotional depth of the artwork invites us to consider the diverse experiences of people living in a militarized society and to see the narratives of a nation through personal stories.