Artwork

Sketch for "The Revolt at Cairo"

Sketch for "The Revolt at Cairo", by Anne-Louis Girodet, unspecified, 1809
Sketch for "The Revolt at Cairo", by Anne-Louis Girodet, unspecified, 1809

Sketch for "The Revolt at Cairo" is an unspecified painting by the Romanticist artist Anne-Louis Girodet. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This painting is a preparatory study for a larger work depicting a pivotal event during Napoleon's Egyptian campaign.

Accession no.
1965.310
Credit line
Gift of Eugene Victor Thaw

About this work

Overview

This painting is a preparatory study for a larger work depicting a pivotal event during Napoleon's Egyptian campaign. The artist, Girodet, never completed the final piece, but this sketch remains a dynamic representation of the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The sketch captures a chaotic moment from the Revolt at Cairo, with French troops clashing with Egyptian soldiers. The intense, swirling composition conveys the turmoil of the battle.

Technique & Style

Girodet's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that exploits the contrast between light and dark, adds to the scene's energy and tension. Deep shadows and bright highlights create a sense of drama and movement.

Sketch for The Revolt of Cairo
Sketch for The Revolt of Cairo, Unknown

Artist & collection

Portrait of Anne-Louis Girodet

Artist

Anne-Louis Girodet

Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson (French pronunciation:; or de Roucy), also known as Anne-Louis Girodet-Trioson or simply Girodet (29 January 1767 – 9 December 1824), was a French painter and pupil of Jacques-Louis…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Sketch for "The Revolt at Cairo"?

Sketch for "The Revolt at Cairo" was painted by Anne-Louis Girodet in 1809.

Where can I see Sketch for "The Revolt at Cairo"?

Sketch for "The Revolt at Cairo" is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Sketch for "The Revolt at Cairo"?

Sketch for "The Revolt at Cairo" is associated with Romanticism.