Retreat at Waterloo 1835

Auguste Raffet made this lithograph, Retreat at Waterloo, in France. It depicts the aftermath of the famous battle in 1815, and it offers a window into how war was remembered and represented in the 19th century. Notice the chaos and carnage in the foreground, contrasting with the disciplined retreat of the Old Guard in the distance. This contrast speaks to the conflicting narratives surrounding Napoleon's defeat. Was it a heroic last stand, or a devastating loss? France in the 1830s was still grappling with the legacy of Napoleon and the social upheaval of the Revolution. Art became a battleground for these conflicting ideologies. Prints like this were mass-produced, shaping public opinion. Research into French military history and popular imagery of the period reveals how deeply ingrained these narratives were. Ultimately, this print reminds us that history is never a neutral account, but a product of social and political forces.