Execution of the Duke d'Enghien, 21 March 1804

1870

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

Execution of the Duke d'Enghien, 21 March 1804 is a 1870 by Unknown, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1870 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This painting shows four men in a dim, shadowy room. One man on the left holds a sword with light bursting from it, while the other three stand in armor, one aiming a rifle. The floor is rough stone, and the walls are dark, almost black. The figures look tense, like something big is about to happen. The bright light from the sword stands out against the dark background, making the scene feel dramatic. The painting looks like it was made to show a moment of conflict or punishment. If you like this style, check out Realism for more paintings that focus on real-life scenes.