The battle of San Fermo 1859

Gerolamo Induno made The Battle of San Fermo using traditional painting techniques, likely in oils or tempera on canvas or panel. This was a period when history painting served an important function, recording and memorializing significant events. The application of paint is quite thin, with a subdued palette that lends a documentary quality to the scene. Induno doesn’t highlight any particular hero or moment. Instead, he gives us a panoramic view of the conflict, showing the cumulative effort of the many participants. In this way, the painting can be understood in terms of labor: the labor of soldiers, yes, but also the labor of the painter, who has painstakingly recorded the scene for posterity. By giving equal attention to all the figures, Induno democratizes the battle, suggesting that victory depends on the collective effort of ordinary people. This approach elevates the importance of everyday experience. It also prompts us to consider how the artist’s labor is connected to wider social and political movements.