Et østerisk cavallerie angreb afslås i slaget ved Austerlitz 1805

Gerhard Ludvig Lahde made this print of ‘An Austrian Cavalry Attack Repulsed at the Battle of Austerlitz’ sometime in the early 19th century. It depicts a scene from Napoleon’s victory over the Austro-Russian forces in 1805. Lahde’s image creates meaning through its stark depiction of the chaos and violence of war. Made in Denmark, a country then caught in the Napoleonic Wars, the print offers a window into the anxieties and nationalistic sentiments of the time. The artist perhaps aimed to capture the raw reality of battle, moving away from idealized portrayals of heroism. The text at the bottom makes the print very interesting, clearly labelling the winning and losing sides. Understanding this artwork involves researching the history of the Napoleonic Wars, the political climate in Denmark at the time, and the conventions of military art. It demonstrates how art is deeply embedded in its social and institutional context.