Generaal Lanusse neemt leiding in de tweede veldslag bij Dego 1829 - 1830

Jean Louis Tirpenne created this print, "General Lanusse Takes Command in the Second Battle of Dego," sometime in the early 19th century. It presents a scene from the Napoleonic Wars. But the image also tells us about the public role of art in France at this time. Prints like this one served as an early form of mass media. Created after the event, it helped shape public memory of the battle. Note the heroic depiction of General Lanusse. Consider too, the way the artist deploys visual codes to create a sense of drama and order amid the chaos of war. France, in this era, saw the rise of nationalism and a renewed interest in its military history. Institutions like the army and the art academy played a key role in promoting these ideals. Art historians draw on resources, such as military records, and period publications, to better understand the print’s original meaning and social context.