Picturing War in France, 1792-1856

During the postrevolutionary era in France, war imagery became widely popular, encompassing both the Salon and weekly newspapers. This book explores how these images engaged citizens and shaped their understanding of conflicts, considering the influence of emerging technologies and popular media. It examines how artistic styles and public tastes evolved, with close readings and reproductions of battle paintings and popular prints.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2018
Publisher: Yale University Press

War imagery permeated the walls of the Salon and the pages of weekly newspapers in postrevolutionary France, captivating the public's imagination. This captivating book delves into representations of contemporary conflict during the first half of the 19th century, examining how these images instilled a sense of imaginative involvement among citizens in the wars being fought in their name. Katie Hornstein, in her meticulous exploration, traces the evolution of war images from their exclusive appeal to elite audiences to their widespread accessibility throughout the 19th century. She carefully examines the influence of emerging technologies and popular media, including lithography, photography, and panoramas, on artistic style and public taste. Through close readings and exquisite reproductions across various media, from monumental battle paintings to popular prints, Picturing War in France, 1792–1856 sheds light on the pivotal role played by these images in shaping modern perceptions of conflict. By drawing on contemporary art criticism, war reporting, and the burgeoning illustrated press, the book unveils the significant impact these visual representations had on shaping public discourse and influencing public opinion.

Weight: 1216g
Dimension: 284 x 225 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300228267