Soldier Surveying Battlefield c. 1916 - 1918

"Soldier Surveying Battlefield" is a drawing by Maximilien Luce created between 1916 and 1918, now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The work depicts a single soldier, rendered in gestural, expressive lines, standing against a backdrop of a ravaged landscape. The chaotic lines used to depict the battlefield suggest the aftermath of a violent conflict, while the soldier's somber stance reflects the weight of the scene. This small, but powerful work exemplifies Luce's distinct style, which captured the stark realities of war through rapid brushstrokes and expressive contours.