the Battle of Lodi, 10th May 1796, detail of Napoleon (1769-1821) and his staff, by Louis Lejeune
1804
oil
From the collection of Palace of Versailles
1804
oil
From the collection of Palace of Versailles
This painting shows a chaotic battle scene by a river. In the foreground, a group of soldiers on horseback are charging forward, while others are fallen on the ground. The riverbank is littered with debris and smoke billows into the air. In the background, a long bridge stretches across the river, with more soldiers and smoke visible. The sky above is a pale blue with white clouds. The overall atmosphere is one of intense action and conflict. To learn more about the artist's use of light and shadow, look up the technique of chiaroscuro.
