Artwork
A Dragoon on Horseback
A Dragoon on Horseback is an ink print by the Baroque artist Charles Parrocel. It dates from 1730 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right in graphite: RD 32
About this work
Overview
A Dragoon on Horseback is an etching on laid paper created by Charles Parrocel around 1730. It depicts a mounted soldier in dynamic pose.
Subject & Meaning
The etching shows a dragoon on a rearing horse, dressed in military attire, conveying a sense of energy and movement. The subject reflects Parrocel's expertise in military scenes, a common theme in European art at the time.
Technique & Style
The image was created using etching, a process involving scratching lines into a metal plate. The resulting print features loose, confident lines and a lively, sketchy feel, characteristic of Parrocel's style.
History & Provenance
Charles Parrocel, a French painter and engraver, trained under his father Joseph and at the Académie de France in Paris and Italy. He worked for King Louis XV, producing artworks including diplomatic scenes.
Context
The etching is part of a broader trend in 18th-century European art, where military subjects were frequently depicted.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Parrocel (6 May 1688 – 24 May 1752) was a French painter and engraver and a specialist in battle and hunt paintings.
