French Line Infantry Soldier 1795, Napoleonic Uniform Print – Vernet
This finely hand-colored 19th-century print depicts a soldier of the French Line Infantry (Infanterie de Ligne) as uniformed in 1795, during the formative years of the French Revolutionary army that would soon evolve into Napoleon Bonaparte’s Grande Armée. The figure is shown standing guard with musket and bayonet, wearing the characteristic bicorne hat, blue coat with red facings, white cross-belts, gaiters, and campaign pack, all rendered with careful attention to military detail.
The image originates from *Histoire de l’Empereur Napoléon* by P.-M. Laurent de l’Ardèche, published in Paris in 1843, and is based on designs by Horace Vernet. Vernet was the most influential military artist of 19th-century France and is renowned for his accurate yet vivid portrayals of Revolutionary and Napoleonic soldiers. His work played a central role in shaping both scholarly and popular visual understanding of French military history.
Although the uniform shown dates to 1795, the print itself belongs firmly to the later Napoleonic revival of interest in the revolutionary period. It reflects a retrospective, documentary approach, presenting the ordinary line infantryman as the backbone of French military success. Such images were intended as both educational illustrations and collectible works on paper, suitable for framing and display.
This print is particularly appealing to collectors of Napoleonic and Revolutionary War material, military costume historians, and interior designers seeking authentic early French military imagery with strong graphic presence.
Condition report: Good overall condition. Light, even age toning to the paper with scattered foxing, mainly in the margins. The hand coloring remains fresh and well-preserved. No significant tears or losses observed. Generous margins.
Framing tips: A simple dark wood or black frame with a light cream or off-white mat will emphasize the figure while maintaining a clean, museum-style presentation. Works well as a standalone piece or combined with related Napoleonic uniform prints.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving Maker: After Horace Vernet, France, Paris, 1843
Bartele Gallery. Original antique maps, sea charts, engravings and works on paper. This is a plain text rendering of a page that is otherwise built in the browser. The catalogue index is at https://www.bartele.net/catalogue and machine readable notes are at https://www.bartele.net/llms.txt.