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| Le Rêve Édouard Detaille |
Le Rêve is a painting depicting the military - the specialty of its creator, Édouard Detaille. It shows an encampment of sleeping French soldiers that continues as far as the eye can see. The soldiers are young conscripts of the French Third Republic who are taking part in summer exercises, probably in Champagne. They are dreaming of the glory of their predecessors, and of exacting revenge following their country's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. (Source)
This is one of my favorite paintings. Truth be told, Detaille is one of my favorite artists. Another fine example of his work is -
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| Vive L'Empereur Édouard Detaille |
That last one is supposed to depict the 4th Hussars at the Battle of Friedland, an event which occurred forty-one years before the artist's birth. If you look very closely you can see the Emperor Napoléon in the distance on the left. Which leads me to another favorite painting (and artist) -
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| Friedland Ernest Meissonier |
Same battle (Friedland), but you're much closer to the Emperor now (the guy on the white horse, for those who were wondering). This is also prior to the start of the battle as you can see a unit of French heavy cavalry (12e Régiment de Cuirassiers, I believe) passing in front of the Emperor, cheering.
The Napoleonic period is one of my favorite areas of study in history. This probably dates from the time I came across a book on Waterloo in my grade school's library. So that had to be at least 55 to 60 years ago. (For those who were about to suggest it, yes, I have read Chandler's Campaigns of Napoleon.)
I like lots of detail in military paintings, don't get me wrong, I like Impressionism just not in military paintings. No doubt one of you Chanters know of one that you want me to look at which could change me mind. I'm open to that.
Anyhoo, (the more perceptive among you might realize that I'm now in the "Etc." part of the post title) I've got one week left before I attain freedom from my place of employment for three weeks. (Actually 23 days, but who's counting? Oh yeah, I am.)
Some of that will be spent at Chez Sarge just enjoying the fact of not having to go to work. Yes, time will be spent sleeping late to make up for staying up late, a specialty of mine. Games will be played on the computer, music will be listened to, no doubt some football will be watched, and no doubt some entertainment programs will be perused (but not on commercial television).
Drums will be played, the cat will be entertained, and no doubt I will read a lot.
A trip to Maryland is planned for Christmas, the new grandson demands it. Even though this has royally pissed off The WSO who wonders why we don't get out to California more often. Well, it's a long ways away and airline tickets ain't cheap. Remember, the last three times I went to California my employer paid for it.
Hhmm, I know, if she posts on the blog, that might get me out to California faster. Truth be told, I do miss the California grandkids a lot. I got to see them back in August, The Missus Herself did not. A fact she has reminded me of more than once.
I need to have a long talk with my Muse, she's been taking far too much time off lately. I seem to be lacking for topics to write on lately. I note that Uncle Skip has had that problem of late, though he is blogging more than he used to. Which I'm thankful for. But there's nothing more annoying than a loafing Muse. DAMHIK.
Stupid historical humor: The Great on Hulu. I assume you’ve seen They Shall Not Grow Old.
ReplyDeleteThe Great actually looks interesting, lots of material in Catherine's life (both real and rumored) to make a comedy/drama.
DeleteYes, They Shall Not Grow Old was superb.
Apollo 11 was also good.
DeleteI haven't seen that, I'll hunt it down.
DeleteI am partial to the Winged Hussars instead of the French:
ReplyDeletehttps://fineartamerica.com/featured/1-the-polish-winged-hussar-luke-karcz.html
Polish cavalry were impressive. I wrote about them here. Probably other posts as well. The Poles have always been great warriors.
DeleteSarge, I prefer realism in my military paintings as well. I am certainly no expert ("I don't know what art is, but I know what I like" as the Monty Python skit goes), but my two favorites are:
ReplyDeleteThe Last Stand of the 44th Regiment at Gandamak: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gandamak#/media/File:The_Last_Stand,_by_William_Barnes_Wollen_(1898).jpg
The Battle of Hohenfriedberg: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hohenfriedberg#/media/File:Hohenfriedeberg_-_Attack_of_Prussian_Infantry_-_1745.jpg
Plane fare are no small thing. What is interesting - or worse, depending on your organizational skills - is that even if you book as soon as the next "round" of dates opens up, Southwest (at least) will sometimes drop the fares after that - nice for saving money, not so nice for having to change the trips.
I get the Muse being out. Mine seems to be the same. I sit, stare at the screen - and the cursor stares back at me. "What are we doing today?" it asks. I have no response.
We get a total of nine days off, including the overarching weekends. Plans seem to be in order. I am kicking off the away time with a company gifted two hour "salt" massage (really have no idea what that means, but at least my sodium content will be high).
Absolutely love those two paintings, though the former makes me sad, seeing those brave men dying in such a desolate place.
DeleteIt does me as well, Sarge. It reminds of a statement that someone made about Celtic songs: The Celts managed to lose most of their struggles for freedom and independence, but they always end up having the best songs about them.
DeleteHow very true.
DeleteMilitary Artist Tom Lea from WW2, Winslow Homer - US Civil War, and an series from the Department of the Army.
ReplyDeleteBoth very good artists (Homer is a favorite). Love that Army series.
DeleteOne of the study halls in my high school had a print on the wall from the Army's WWII artists. It was of an M16 GMC protecting the Bridge at Remagen.
DeleteI think I've seen that painting!
DeleteGood heavens! You can buy it at Walmart!
Deletehttps://www.walmart.com/ip/24-x36-Gallery-Poster-Poster-printed-by-the-US-Army-commemorating-the-capturing-of-the-Ludendorff-Bridge-at-Remagen-1945/522406786
Ouch! A little pricey!
DeleteYes, it is!
Delete☹
DeleteI know it's an acronym, but I always read DAMHIK as damn hick. Weird wiring.
ReplyDeleteI like your taste in art. That era of history never did much for me. I was more interested in the WNA as it impacted my family hugely. Lost a progenetor on one side in Virginia due to disease, and the family land earned for service in the Revolution was stolen by carpet baggers, leading to political / economic refugee status. Thanks be to the Good Lord they wound up in Texas.
World War Twice really gets my attention due to the pivotal aviation advancements, rocketry, weapons developments, and other great leaps of technology. Also, my mentors were all veterans of that era. It still interests me... The great "art" of that era were the photos, films and news reels.
Enjoy your time off. Zoom with the kids in Kali so the Kommie CCP can see how they are doing, too! Ha! Or was that a different software??
Having kids spread all over creation is something I'll be learning about soon enough. My youngest is planning to move to the far north, up in the far reaches of MN, WI, MI or somesuch.
Happy Christmas!
My brain tends to say "damn hick" as well.
DeleteNever, but never kick your Muse into action for she is a vengeful bitch: Yes! DAMHIK.
ReplyDeleteI know better!
DeleteCommercial television? Been watching the usual not-big-channel stuff and also "Burn Notice" on der Amazon. An amusing show about a burned spy, stuck in Miami. One of the stars is Bruce Cambell (not the main star) and the acting, music, writing, directing and everything elseing is far superior to what you find on the big channels (originally played on the USA network back in the mid 2000's.)
ReplyDeleteOther than that, I like paintings that look like something. I mean, I kinda get "Starry Night" but that's too trippy for me. The Revolutionary War paintings found in the American History magazines are more my type. Rev War, Civ War, Mex-American War... I really like the naval paintings done during and after the Civil War, especially ones dealing with various ironclads.
Glad you are getting some time off. I'm pretty sure the chaotic schedule you've been under lately has disrupted the Muse's creative cycle. Once things settle down she'll be back.
Ah, love Burn Notice. While I also get Starry Night, I don't really like it all that much. It's simply "okay."
DeleteBurn Notice jumped the shark a few seasons in, imo.
ReplyDeleteI won't disagree with that statement. Most shows seem to lose their impetus at some point, there is such a thing as "too much of a good thing" I suppose.
DeleteAw, the Muse does damn fine work when she is in the mood, but no need to pump out a word count of mediocrity on a set schedule. Stick to your high standards, and if not fit to post, don't. We will wait patiently, and appreciatively for whatever free stuff you serve up.
ReplyDeleteMay be best to abandon the contemporary contemptible deplorable episodes, lest you make us all grumpy, or idiots perceive fiction as incitement.
The frontier series was an enjoyable escape and education, and I'd like to return there.
Military art is both fascinating, instructive and entertaining. Gandamak indeed, along the the scene of the sole survivor of the Second Afghan War, Dr. Brydon (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Remnants_of_an_army2.jpg/800px-Remnants_of_an_army2.jpg)
Both should be prominently posted in National Security spaces and Congress and the Pentagon as a reminder and warning not to needlessly meddle in other cultures' civil wars. (Can you spell Ukraine and Taiwan? Sure you can!)
My military art appreciation focuses on the Spanish American War. The famous Rough Rider charge up San Juan Hill is about the only thing most people know about that war, portrayed well at the time by Frederic Remington (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charge_of_the_Rough_Riders_at_San_Juan_Hill.JPG)
and even better recently by Mort Kunstler (https://history.army.mil/images/bookshelves/resmat/wws/rough_riders.jpg).
But, the best Span-Am art is by Private Charles Johnson Post, of the 71st New York Volunteer Infantry, which charged up the left flank of San Juan Hill. Post was there for that, along with all the non-glamorous drudgery of camp life, embarkations, training, waiting and aftermath. (Stuff your Muse covers quite well, by the way.) The Army has many of Post's contemporary water colors in their collection, along with a small sampling of photos:
https://history.army.mil/documents/spanam/ws-art.htm
Historians also benefit from the primitive motion picture technology first used in the Span-Am war, preserved in the Library of Congress. Snippets of embarking in Tampa, landing at Daiquiri, crossing Bloody Ford, pack trains of ammunition for the front, and pre-discharge camp life at Montauk Point. https://www.loc.gov/item/98501058/
John Blackshoe
Some great artwork at those links. Oddly enough I know more about the naval aspects of the Spanish-American war than the ground fighting. Remember the Maine ya know, Manila Bay, Dewey, et al. I also know that the war tended to heal a number of wounds from the Great Unpleasantness of 1861-65. For the first time since that war soldiers from North and South were on the same side against a common enemy. An interesting war.
DeleteDid the American armed forces have official war artists as the British did? The Ministry of Information commissioned many artists to paint aspects of the war. These artists portrayed combat operations as well as life on the home front. Have a look at 'Gassed' by John Singer Sargent, it depicts a line of gassed soldiers awaiting treatment in the rear areas, one of the little touches is that whilst the soldiers stand in line a soccer match is taking place in the distance. Paul Nash may also be worth a look if you appreciate a different take on things and he was a war artist in both wars.
ReplyDeleteRetired
Apparently the United States had official war artists from 1917 on, I wasn't aware of that before today!
DeleteI am very familiar with John Singer Sargent's work, especially the one you mention. Oddly enough I'd never noticed the soccer match in the background. Looked it up and sure enough, there they were.
I had seen Nash's work before, but didn't realize it. My favorite is his Battle of Britain done in 1941 I believe. He has some excellent paintings on both wars.
I have always been a huge fan of combat artists, those the military brings with them to draw and sketch whatever they see fit to draw. I am a fan of Sgt Kristopher Battles, the last combat artist on active duty in the Marine Corps. I met him when the Corps had him document, in drawings, the first combat MV-22 deployment aboard the USS Wasp (LHD 1) when they were taken to Iraq in 2007.
ReplyDeletehttp://kjbattles.blogspot.com/
I am also a huge fan of Col Waterhouse drawings of Marine Corps history.
https://artsandculture.google.com/search/asset/?p=national-museum-of-the-marine-corps&em=m03y8szq&categoryId=artist
Some great work at both websites, I need to add them to the blogroll!
DeleteThanks CM!
COL Waterhouse was a WW2 Marine in the first wave at Iwo Jima where he was wounded, losing most use of his left hand. He knows of what he painted, and did a damn fine job.
DeleteLest some think that combat art is an exclusively male occupation, COL Donna J. Neary, USMCR spent 20+years recording the Corps in every clime and place, with a keen eye for detail and focus on accuracy.
https://www.requestaprint.net/marines/gallery.php?gallery_id=78
John Blackshoe
Dang! She's really good!
DeleteThanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteI would venture that I’m not posting so much as grumbling.
I’v found a cache of photos …so I at least have something to balance the content.
Let’s raise a glass to far flung families who give us an excuse to travel.
Speaking of which…
It's good to see those photos you post, you have some good ones. I never miss Friday Cat!
Delete