Nocturnal Review

Art Historical Context

**Nocturnal Review** (1836) is a striking lithograph by French artist Auguste Raffet, a master of Romantic-era printmaking renowned for his vivid depictions of military life. Created during the Julyarchy in France, when nostalgia for Napoleon Bonaparte's era lingered, Raffet's work captures the drama and heroism of soldiers in a nighttime parade or inspection. This print exemplifies his fascination with the Napoleonic legacy, blending historical reverence with the emotional intensity of Romanticism. Lithography, the medium here, was revolutionary in the 1830s for its ability to produce intricate tonal effects and fluid lines directly from the artist's hand on stone, making detailed scenes like this accessible to a wide audience through affordable reproductions. Raffet's technique shines in rendering moonlight, shadows, and the energy of marching troops, evoking a sense of mystery and grandeur under the night sky. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Rosenwald Collection, **Nocturnal Review** offers visitors a window into 19th-century France's cultural obsession with military glory. It's a testament to how prints democratized art, preserving epic moments for generations.

About the Artist

Auguste Raffet · 1804–1860

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