A Military Convoy Surprised by an Explosion
ca. 1790–1800
Medium
Pencil, pen and brown ink, gray wash
Dimensions
13 3/4 x 20 1/2 in. (35 x 52.1 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David M. Tobey, 2000
Accession Number
2000.638
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the late 18th century, amid the turbulence of the French Revolutionary Wars, Dutch artist Dirk Langendijk captured raw drama of conflict in *A Military Convoy Surprised by an Explosion* (ca. 1790–1800). This dynamic drawing depicts soldiers, horses, weapons, and trees thrown into disarray by a sudden blast, evoking the unpredictability of battlefield life. Langendijk, known for his vivid military scenes inspired by Dutch history and contemporary events, skillfully conveys motion and tension through a compact composition measuring 13¾ × 20½ inches. Rendered in pencil, pen and brown ink, and...