Attention! The Emperor has his eye on you 1832

Curator: Good morning. We are looking at a lithograph print created around 1832, titled "Attention! The Emperor has his eye on you," made by French artist Auguste Raffet. Editor: My initial response is one of foreboding. There’s a stark contrast between the fallen soldiers in the foreground and the unwavering line of troops behind. The somber mood is heightened by the print's monochromatic palette. Curator: Indeed. Raffet, working within the Romantic tradition, sought to capture not just the events of Napoleonic warfare, but the emotional and psychological impact it had on soldiers. Editor: Looking closer, I notice how Raffet employs contrasting textures and tonal shifts. The delicate hatching brings definition to uniforms, yet, fades in the background giving a sense of infinite scale and blurs into hazy forms as we approach the horizon, thus evoking a palpable sense of disorientation and turmoil. Curator: Consider, also, that this lithograph was produced during a period when public sentiment surrounding Napoleon was being carefully managed. The restored monarchy sought to downplay the Napoleonic era, but popular memory was strong, especially among veterans. Raffet catered to this nostalgia, while also subtly acknowledging the cost of war. Editor: It is interesting how the figures lying on the ground appear lifeless and yet, the gaze shifts almost violently towards the soldiers awaiting the call. In what way, do you believe the title invites viewers to look deeper? Curator: The title itself is a directive, almost a warning. "Attention! The Emperor has his eye on you" implies a constant surveillance, a demand for unwavering loyalty, and perhaps even a hint of paranoia that permeated the Napoleonic era, despite being published well after his reign. Editor: A visual representation of post traumatic experience with high resolution capturing techniques creates a vivid narrative for its viewer and speaks to its powerful legacy that can be enjoyed even today. Curator: Raffet’s artistic choices reveal the enduring complexities surrounding the memory of Napoleon and his empire. This artwork embodies this.