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Artillery Practice
(18th and 19th Centuries )
In 1852, Pils switched his focus from religious and genre scenes to military paintings. His decision to do so may have been prompted by the events that precipitated the Crimean War (1854-56), during which Napoleon III encouraged public support for his military exploits by granting major government commissions for scenes that glorified his victories. However, Pils' ill health prevented him from traveling. Therefore, he adapted his battle scenes from firsthand accounts and newspaper stories about the war. Moreover, he spent a great deal of time sketching at Vincennes, a major military encampment near Paris.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
William T. Walters, Baltimore, before 1879, by purchase [from the artist]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1894, by inheritance; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2005-2006 | The Essence of Line: French Drawings from Ingres to Degas. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore; Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham; Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma. |
| 1998-1999 | Botanical Delights: Floral Motifs in 19th-Century Art. Government House, Annapolis; Strathmore Hall Art Center, North Bethesda; Academy Art Museum, Easton. |
| 1998-1999 | A Discerning Eye: Nineteenth-century Drawings and Watercolors. Academy Art Museum, Easton. |
| 1983 | A Connoisseur's Portfolio: Nineteenth-century Drawings and Watercolors in the Walters Art Gallery. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1979 | A Supple Brush: The Flowering of Continental Watercolors. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1977 | War à la Mode: Military Painting from the Forbes Collection. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 5/9/1977 | Treatment | repaired |
| 1/1/2002 | Treatment | examined for exhibition; re-housed; other |
Geographies
France (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 21 7/8 x W: 40 1/4 in. (55.5 x 102.3 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by William T. Walters, before 1879
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
37.951