Attacke der französischen Cavallerie auf die Stadt Frankfurt am Main im April 1797 

Anton Radl made this drawing of the Attack of the French Cavalry on Frankfurt in April 1797 without indicating the date it was produced. The image offers a glimpse into the tumult of the French Revolutionary Wars and their impact on German cities. Radl’s Frankfurt was a Free Imperial City, a self-governing entity within the Holy Roman Empire, and the attack depicted here underscores the disruption caused by the expansion of revolutionary France. The French invasion brought not only violence but also new political ideas that challenged the existing social order. By focusing on the drama of the battle, Radl invites us to consider the human cost of war and the disruption of civic life. Historical documents such as city records and personal accounts could further illuminate the impact of this event on Frankfurt's inhabitants and institutions. In this way, art becomes a valuable source for understanding the social and political history of its time.