
As a pioneer of battle vignettes, Denis-Auguste-Marie Raffet depicted many military scenes in sketchbooklike compositions. He began to publish lithographs in 1826, and Sheet of Sketches was one of his early works. This sheet has a seminostalgic, satirical tone, with details of a frantic crowd cheering for a duel between knights and a scene of ritualistic decapitation. Raffet’s lithographs inspired generations of artists and writers, including Honoré de Balzac.

Place du Pantheon, Night of December 22 to 23, 1830
Denis Auguste Marie Raffet (French, 1804-1860) printed by Chez Gihaut Frères (French, 19th century)

Il est défendu de fumer, mais vous pouvez vous asseoir
Denis Auguste Marie Raffet (French, 1804-1860) printed by Chez Gihaut Frères (French, 19th century)

The Camp
Denis Auguste Marie Raffet (French, 1804-1860) printed by Chez Gihaut Frères (French, 19th century)