Sketch for the Battle of Poitiers
1829
oil
From the collection of Walters Art Museum
1829
oil
From the collection of Walters Art Museum
This painting shows a chaotic battle scene with many figures in the foreground. The colors are muted, with earth tones dominating the palette. In the distance, a cityscape is visible under a cloudy sky. The battle rages on, with soldiers on horseback and on foot, some falling or already fallen. The artist's brushstrokes are loose and expressive, conveying the energy and turmoil of the scene. To learn more about this style of painting, look up the artist Eugène Delacroix.
