Artwork
Cuirassier
Cuirassier is an oil painting by the Cubism Analytic artist Roger de La Fresnaye. It dates from 1911 and is held in the collection of the Musée National d'Art Moderne.
About this work
Overview
Roger de La Fresnaye’s 1911 oil on canvas titled Cuirassier presents a cavalry figure mounted on a horse, accompanied by a French flag. The composition centers on a soldier in a white and red uniform, helmeted with a red plume, brandishing a sword, while a second figure bearing a flag appears in the background. The work belongs to the collection of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a 19th‑century French cuirassier, a heavy‑armed cavalryman, symbolizing national military tradition. The inclusion of the tricolour flag reinforces a sense of patriotism, while the dynamic pose suggests movement and readiness, reflecting the artist’s interest in the heroic aspects of French history.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the canvas employs a restrained palette of browns, grays and muted reds. Broad, confident brushstrokes convey a sense of vigor, while the limited colour range emphasizes form over decorative detail. The figure’s simplified rendering aligns with early modernist tendencies toward abstraction of volume and space.
History & Provenance
Created in 1911, Cuirassier entered the Musée des Beaux‑Arts de Lyon’s holdings during the mid‑20th century, where it has remained on display. The painting’s acquisition reflects the museum’s effort to represent French avant‑garde painting of the pre‑World War I period.
Artist & collection
