Wilfrid Constant Beauquesne (1847-1913)

French artistry was deeply influenced by three wars during the 19th century and, accordingly, the artistic imagination was not lost upon the public. "Patriotism comes to the aid of battle painters," a contemporary remarked, "presenting them with a sympathetic public already fascinated by the subject." After the brief Franco-Prussian conflict of 1870, French painters were particularly anxious to retrieve national pride by presenting works which reflected their own national heroism versus enemy brutality.

Known for his scenic depictions of this war, Wilfried Beauquesne, a native of Rennes, France, was undoubtedly influenced in his selection of subjects by his instructors at the Ecol...