Paul Delaroche

In constructing large, detailed paintings of contemporary historical events, Paul Delaroche was careful to dress his live models in authentic costumes and equip them with the appropriate historical props. The eight figures in this sketch are two male models posing as soldiers rallying, fighting, falling, and dying. The artist ultimately reworked some of these studies into two paintings commemorating the French victory in the Battle of Trocadero, fought in Spain in 1823. The collection of individual poses on this sheet can be read as an encyclopedia of military gestures and activities, with each soldier contributing some individual heroic action to the vast final composition. Delaroche and other history painters of his era often maintained collections of uniforms, costumes, and other obscure props in their studios, so that models could easily be arranged into a variety of historical tableaus.