Marengo 1832

Curator: Hippolyte Bellangé created this print, "Marengo." Editor: The smoke and the fallen figures really grab you—a stark portrayal of battle's immediate aftermath. Curator: Bellangé, born in 1800, captured military life and historical scenes. This print depicts Napoleon's victory at the Battle of Marengo. Editor: The layering of bodies, the suggestion of distant ranks, speaks to the industrialization of warfare, the transformation of the human body into a material of conquest. Curator: Indeed, and prints like this played a critical role in shaping public perception of Napoleon's campaigns and the glory of the French army. Editor: Yes, a glorification achieved through the careful arrangement and reproduction of the bloody results of battle. What stories could these fallen figures tell about labor and class? Curator: A poignant question. "Marengo" encapsulates both the spectacle of war and its manipulation within the political landscape. Editor: Agreed. Examining the raw materials and the impact on individual lives helps to deconstruct the narrative of heroism.