Embusqués Derrière Un Mur. Fantassins De La Ligne; A Fragment From The Panorama Of The Battle Of Champigny 

Jean-Baptiste Édouard Detaille painted this oil on canvas to depict French infantrymen in a defensive position during the Battle of Champigny. The original panorama was a collaborative, large-scale painting intended for public display. Such battle scenes served a dual purpose in France after the Franco-Prussian War. On one hand, they were a memorial, helping to process the national trauma of defeat. On the other hand, they functioned as propaganda by recasting military events in a heroic light to bolster patriotism. Detaille was celebrated for his accuracy and attention to detail, influenced by his time spent embedded with French troops. But here we should note the selective nature of historical representation. The painting’s emphasis on bravery and order obscures the brutal realities of war and sanitizes the image of military institutions. To properly understand this work, scholars might consult military archives, period newspapers, and documents related to the commissioning and exhibition of the original panorama.